By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
SUNAPEE — The town’s Food Pantry has seen a significant increase in demand due to issues such as rising rent costs and inflation. Pantry officials are seeing expanded food donations to meet the increased needs of area residents.
Town of Sunapee Welfare Administrator Laura Trow said the facility’s biggest needs are canned vegetables, bread, muffin mixes, juices in family and individual sizes, individually-wrapped toilet paper, and fragrance-free laundry detergent.
“We go through a lot of vegetables and fruits,” she said. “We try to make sure we get plenty of fruits and vegetables out to the family. Since we are a dry goods pantry, in the past, we worked with the hospital, and they provided some fresh produce for us.”
Since Covid, she said the mental health issues surrounding families unable to feed their children have put them under a lot of stress. She said the food pantry is there to help alleviate those worries.
“It’s a product of our society and what happens due to health and mental health issues,” she said. “It’s been a rough road for a lot of people. It’s been magnified since Covid.”
She said cash donations still make a difference if people do not have food to donate.
“We also accept grocery cards that we can use to supplement the dry goods,” she said. “People can buy dairy and fresh produce, and if we have grocery cards to add to those — we can add it to the dry goods donations.”
The hours at the pantry are from 9 a.m. to Noon on Wednesdays, but the Food Pantry is accessible to the public 24/7 in the foyer of the Town Office, 23 Edgemont Road.
“It’s located in the foyer of the Town Office, and we have bags prepared for people to pick up,” Trow said. “If they need additional items, they can contact me for items, such as toiletries, laundry detergent, and food.”
Trow said to call her at 603-369-9896, and she’ll have things ready for families to pick up.
“The Food Pantry is available to anyone in town,” she said. “It’s not income based.
Someone who wants to donate a grocery card can drop it off at the Town Office or mail it to 23 Edgemont Road, to the attention of the Welfare Office.
Trow said seeing the look on a family member’s face when the needed food is provided can be truly rewarding.
“I was hired a number of years ago as the Family Services Coordinator, and part of it was the Food Pantry here and also the Welfare Administration for various towns,” she said. “I really appreciate helping other people, especially in their times of need. It’s rewarding when things come together in a good way for people struggling.”
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