By Ethan Shorey
SMITHFIELD – Food insecurity is impacting more residents than many people realize, says Smithfield Town Council President John Tassoni, and there’s been a significant increase in need over the past several months.
Speaking at the council meeting last month, Tassoni said seniors, working families, individuals on fixed incomes, and people catching unexpected hardships are being hit especially hard.
According to Tassoni, 142 people visited the food pantry in June, and July saw more than 200 come.
“I don’t suspect that it’s going to get any better,” he said.
On Sept. 27, the town will host a food drive to help those in need. Organized by Tassoni and Councilor Tom Winfield, it will be held at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, 2 Church St. in Smithfield, and run from 9 a.m. to noon.
Items collected will be donated to the Smithfield Human Services food bank. Items needed include canned food, pasta and sauce, soup, cereal, and oatmeal.
Come by for the Cider & Spice food truck while dropping off donations.
Tassoni said the food bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon by appointment. Drop-off hours run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Smithfield Senior Center, or during regular hours at the food pantry.
Regularly needed items include proteins, canned vegetables, fruits, peanut butter, pasta, rice, personal hygiene items, laundry detergent, toilet paper, and paper towels. Also accepted are monetary donations for perishable foods.
Many people are only one paycheck away from visiting a food pantry, said Tassoni.
