A New Home for the Food Pantry?

North Kingstown’s food pantry may be migrated north, if a group of volunteers work their magic. At Monday’s town council meeting, – shared her vision for the future of the food pantry – and for .

Driscoll, Council Member Carol Hueston and others are looking to form a fundraising group to help move the food pantry into the . The town-owned building was closed down and winterized after the preschool program, Children’s Workshop, closed down due to financial hardships.

Driscoll says the food pantry has outgrown its current location at the on Boston Neck Road as need has skyrocketed along with the recession. Two weekends ago, the shelves at the pantry were bare and pantry workers were forced to turn away families.

“We aren’t looking for taxpayer money and we aren’t looking to use money that is donated to the food pantry [with which to buy food] to support the build. We’re looking to finance it separately,” said Driscoll.

But, a move to the old school house would require more than a few moving vans and shelf installation: the building is in need of serious upgrades. The building needs a new boiler and possibly a new septic system and requires renovations to make it ADA compliant. Public Works Director Phil Bergeron said the cost to reopen the building would be in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. That number will jump over the next few years, he warned.

Though he spoke of his support of the food pantry, Council Member Charles Stamm opposed the idea of leasing the building to the nonprofit. With numerous other vacant, town-owned buildings in town, Stamm said he felt the town should dispose of the properties properly. The rest of the council, however, supported the idea to relocate the food pantry. Hueston and fellow Council Member Chuck Brennan both said that School Street would be a “great location” for the food pantry.

“We need to step up to the plate and help those who are less fortunate,” said Hueston.

Those interested in helping the effort can contact Karla Driscoll at 401-295-8987.