The Acton Food Pantry (the Pantry, AFP) reports on the progress being made at 19-21 Maple Street in South Acton. Architectural drawings have been completed and approved, inside demolition is done, much of the cement floor has been poured, and electrical work is underway.
The Town government awarded the Pantry the lease to the Maple Street building. State Senator James Eldridge worked on the Pantry’s behalf to include a $300,000 earmark for the project in the state budget.
The lead architect is Michelle Oulette of Woolfall, LLC, who grew up in Acton and attended Acton Boxborough Regional High School. As part of her work on the project she applied for and won an AIA small project design grant. Acton resident and architect Rob Peirce of Dewing Schmid Kearns, based in Concord, consults on the project. The contractor is Kistler and Knapp, builders based in Acton. Other vendors include Argento Electric, LLC (Boxborough), Lamco Systems (Tyngsboro); McCarthy Plumbing and Mechanical (Waltham); and City Mirror & Glass (Lowell). These companies are all based in Middlesex County and keep pricing within budget.
The Pantry received generous donations from local banks and foundations, including Sudbury Foundation, Northern Bank Charitable Foundation, Middlesex Bank, and Greater Boston Food Bank.
The AFP board launched a challenge to match their own donations of $60,000, and the community quickly met and exceeded that goal. To date over $200,000 from donors and volunteers has been raised. Only $300,000 needs to be raised to meet the goal of $1,250,000 to fund the renovation.
The Pantry distributes thousands of pounds of food, (reaching an all-time record during the last fiscal year of over 600,000 pounds), and serves close to 400 households per week, as they strive to meet the ongoing need for food assistance in the community.
To participate in the effort to complete the renovation of the building, visit the Pantry’s website and make a donation to the building fund.
Amy Davis has been serving on the board of directors for the Acton Food Pantry since 2016. Currently retired, her professional background includes law, public health, and non-profit management.