Community Corner
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, IKEA Stoughton Step up for St. Anthony's Food Pantry
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce member IKEA donated shelving to Stoughton's St. Anthony's Food Pantry last Thursday, and spent the day installing the units at the pantry, located on Park Ave.
The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses are known for supporting the Stoughton Food Pantries through its fundraising efforts such as the annual .
So the Chamber’s coordinated work with one of its Gold Members, , at the St. Anthony’s Food Pantry on Thursday, September 6 should come as no surprise.
In fact, this project was a direct result of the Doin’ It For Diane Fundraiser.
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Christine Gallagher, manager of the St. Anthony’s Food Pantry on Park Ave., explained that when the funds were allocated from Doin' it For Diane between the two pantries (Ilse Marks and St. Anthony’s), each respective pantry was asked to provide a wish list.
Gallagher said her pantry “desperately needed shelving and a refrigerator.”
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From that wish list, Terry Schneider, executive director of the Chamber, contacted IKEA to tackle the shelving need.
Laura Alves from IKEA said the initial request was to utilize the funds raised from Doin’ It from Diane to purchase the shelving. However, IKEA decided that it was a project worthy of them not only providing the product but also the manpower.
“We know that there is so much more that they [St. Anthony’s] can use the money for [like food]," she said.
Alves explained that the IVAR shelves that IKEA Carpenter Dennis DelSignore and Interior Designer David Voigt installed were adjustable to fit the varying needs of St. Anthony’s.
Anne Havlin, St. Anthony’s Director, called the prior shelving “eclectic” as she described the wooden board that sat atop milk crates.
Havlin said the newly completed custom shelves "doubles our space”.
Gallagher shared, “Sadly, the timing [of the installation] is good because the cupboard is kind of bare right now.”
Expressing gratitude, Havlin said, “IKEA is a very good neighbor. Every year when we have our fundraiser, they donate a lot of money to both pantries.”
Schneider and the Chamber also thanked the volunteers by treating them to tasty deli sandwiches, salads and chicken wings donated by (a fellow Chamber business) during a lunch break on Thursday. The volunteers enjoyed the lunch right at Bob's Foodmart in its new deli seating area.
St. Anthony's is open for Stoughton residents Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon and the second Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.
This upcoming Saturday, September 15, the Chamber will be giving back to the other food pantry in town, the Ilse Parks pantry on Seaver St., helping to paint the exterior of their building. The Chamber is looking for some volunteers to help that day (email terry@stoughtonma.com for more details).
Schneider and Chamber Chairman Chris Petrie will be providing a BBQ after the work is done.
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There is an easy way to donate to the Stoughton food pantries. Stoughton resident , personally picking up donations for the food pantries every Thursday.
Haven't called to arrange a pickup? It's not too late. Call Peg at 508-889-1385 or send an email to peg.carbone@comcast.net.
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