by Brian Keaney

Despite seeing a dramatic increase in need, the Dedham Food Pantry is facing an October 1 closing date if a new space can not be found before then.  St. John’s Methodist Church in Oakdale Square, which has housed the Pantry since its inception 20 years ago, is closing the building in the face of large repair bills.

“It would be horrible if Dedham, with the need we have, were to end up with no Food Pantry,” Sharon Lane, a former board member and volunteer, said in an interview.  “We just can’t close.”

Since receiving notice in June of the closing of the building, the Pantry has been searching for a new space to go, with no success.  They have approached each of churches in Town, but none has been able to provide them with a suitable space. 

They have also approached a number of commercial landlords, but almost all would charge rent.  The Pantry, which is entirely volunteer run, spends only a small fraction of their annual budget on overhead expenses each year.

“Every dollar spent on rent is a dollar we couldn’t spend on food,” Lane said.

The Pantry provides free food to over 200 families and receives two to three new referrals each week, according to Lane.  “It’s definitely been increasing, there’s no doubt about it,” she said.

State Representative and Dedham Community Theatre owner Paul McMurtry has been working with the Pantry to help them find a new home, and offered an unfinished basement storage space in the back of his building.  The space, which is at the dead end of an alleyway, wouldn’t suit the Pantry’s needs, Lane said.

The Pantry may have a long term solution, but needs a temporary space to move into for a year or two, according to Lane.  They are also in the process of working with a consultant to develop a long term strategic plan, “but they can’t do that until they get through this current crisis,” she said. 

The Pantry has also approached the Town, but were told again that there was no space available.  “We are at our last straw,” Lane said.  “We’ve pursued every option.”

The Pantry is looking for a space of approximately 1,200 square feet, one ideally that is handicapped accessible.  They may be able to pay for the utilities, Lane said, but not much more.    If a new space is not found by the end of the summer the Pantry will be forced to close, Lane says.

“There just won’t be any food for those families,” Lane said.  “We are working very hard, day and night, to try and find any place we can.”

 Related link:

• Dedham Food Pantry

Ed. note: I am a former employee of the Dedham Community Theatre and a have volunteered on McMurtry’s political campaign.