The Pantry at Massasoit Prepares for Fall with Support from Stop & Shop
August 23, 2021 – Brockton – Throughout the pandemic and while the college operated remotely, our on-campus food pantry continued to provide groceries to the Massasoit community. Stop & Shop, which is headquartered in nearby Quincy, Mass., has continued to support The Pantry through funding, gift cards, and reusable shopping bags. Their most recent donation included $7,500 in gift cards and $2,500 for a fresh produce initiative that will begin in the fall; local Stop & Shop stores will deliver produce to Massasoit’s Brockton campus for individuals to pick up.
The Pantry at Massasoit, part of our community assistance resources for educational success, is a judgement-free space that opened in a new, permanent location in the Student Center on the Brockton campus in late 2019. Massasoit has been providing groceries and food to students for a number of years, but Stop & Shop has played an integral role in continuing the pantry operations and addressing campus food insecurity issues. Stop & Shop’s donations to The Pantry total $30,000.
“Stop & Shop’s donation of gift cards and reusable bags, going back to April 2021 when many places were shutting down, has been immensely helpful,” said Sean Dadsetan-Foley, director of basic needs security at Massasoit. “We were pre-packing grocery bags that students could make appointments to pick up. The gift cards gave us another option for students who were uncomfortable with coming to campus or unable to get here for a variety of reasons.”
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Massasoit Community College through the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program to provide extra food assistance to students and their families,” said Jennifer Brogan, director of community relations for Stop & Shop. “We applaud Massasoit Community College for continuing to offer its food pantry resources amid the pandemic to ensure students stay nourished and perform their best.”
The Pantry is now open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-ins; community members from the greater Brockton area are welcome to use The Pantry’s services. Online and distant ordering will continue to be available for students and individuals with a Massasoit email address.
“Before going remote, we were averaging around 300 new clients a month,” said Dadsetan-Foley. “It’s more than just picking up groceries because we can make referrals or recommendations for financial support, mental health services, and other resources. I had a student tell me ‘I never thought I could ask for this kind of help at Massasoit.’”
The Pantry also receives food and groceries from the Greater Boston Food Bank, and personal care items are available for students as well. An AmeriCorps VISTA position and funding from The United Way will allow for additional positions in The Pantry as demand and services are expected to increase in the fall.
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About Stop & Shop
A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop offers a wide assortment with a focus on fresh, healthy options at a great value. Stop & Shop’s GO Rewards loyalty program delivers personalized offers and allows customers to earn points that can be redeemed for gas or groceries every time they shop. Stop & Shop customers can choose how and where they want to shop – whether in-store or online for delivery or same day pickup. The company is committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger, supporting our troops, and investing in pediatric cancer research to help find a cure. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs 58,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.