Cumberland Farms' Reopening Benefits Food Pantry
 Jeff Cutting exhorts customers to drink up for the food pantry as Carol DeMayo and marketing manager Kate Ngo hold the chart that will mark progress to the $1,000 donation goal. |
After all, there was a little luck (and a fast response by the Fire Department) involved that prevented the building from going up in flames nine months ago, and pushing it to the front of the line in the chain's ongoing renovation of its 600 stores.
The reopening was also a bit of luck for the Williamstown Food Pantry, which found itself on the receiving end of the store's community program. Every single soda, Chill Zone beverage or coffee sold over the next four weeks means another 20 cents toward the pantry.
Those funds will be greatly appreciated, said Carol DeMayo, director of the pantry, on Monday.
"After Thanksgiving, our shelves were bare," she said. "The women who work there were panicked."
Since then, the pantry's received a number of donations including a windfall in the form of $5,400 from First Baptist Church from the 2007 sale of its parsonage, said DeMayo. "It was completely unexpected and filled us with joy."
The chain usually holds a fundraiser each time it opens or reopens a store as a way to give back to the community, said Kate Ngo, marketing manager. That's tended to be local high schools but "we knew the food pantry was in the greatest need."
The goal is to raise $1,000 over the four weeks, but there's an opportunity to make more, said Gwen Forman, vice president of marketing. "We don't cut it off at $1,000; the donations keep going to the food pantry."
Even with the recent donations, the money's desperately needed as demands on the pantry have grown as the economy went south.
DeMayo said the money raised would likely go toward purchasing meat, the most needed item. The pantry serves primarily Williamstown residents, along with Hancock, New Ashford and Pownal, Vt. It especially tries to help the elderly and young children, and offers some contributions toward health needs, such as prescriptions, she said.
 Cutting, Richards and Town Manager Peter Fohlin pose with a town proclamation recognizing Cumberland Farms. |
Along with the improvised ribbon cutting, the store was presented by Town Manager Peter Fohlin with a proclamation from the Selectmen congratulating it on reopening and recognizing it as "a valuable member of the Williamstown business community."
The renovated 24-hour convenience store actually opened a few weeks ago and offers more varieties of food-to-go, including hot and cold sandwiches, franks, salads, fruit, a coffee bar and other beverages.
"People love it," said store manager David Richards. "I haven't heard anything bad."
Donations may be sent to Williamstown Food Pantry, 54 Southworth St., Williamstown, MA 01267 and are tax-deductible.
