Goal remains dignified client experience

By Elizabeth Bailey

Food price inflation has slowed from this time last year, down from an annual rate of 8.5 percent to 4.3 percent, but families continue to experience the shock waves.

“We have undoubtedly seen a drastic increase in the number of people utilizing the food pantry, including many families that are new to us,” says Erick Olsen, pastor of the Church of Christ Congregational. “Based on the high cost of food across the board, as well as the fact that the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that served many people during Covid have come to an end, people in our community are finding themselves with terrible choices.” He continues, “No one should have to take the risk of continuing to drive on bald tires because they chose to buy fresh fruit or meat for their family.”

Adding more pressure to families with limited means, rents continue to climb in communities bordering Norfolk. Rents in Winsted have increased to a median $1,200 per month, up $205 per month from six months ago. Median rents in Torrington are now $1,350 per month. Local realtors say that it is next to impossible to find an apartment in Norfolk for that amount.

Even those who live in Norfolk may struggle to cover the costs of daily living. Over 30 percent of the students at Botelle School are eligible for the state’s free lunch program. To qualify, families must be earning less than 130% of the federal poverty level.

According to Lynn Deasy, director of the Norfolk Food Pantry, the number of people seeking help from the pantry has tripled since the beginning of 2022. “Since April, we have gotten 31 new clients, which is a little surprising,” reports Deasy. “When I asked one client how they had heard about us, she said, ‘I heard that I would be treated with dignity and asked no questions.’”

As stated in a policy recently formulated by the volunteers who work in the food pantry, its goal is “To provide healthy food choices to anyone who is requesting assistance, to treat all beneficiaries in a nonjudgmental and caring manner and to make certain that food is accessible to all in need, regardless of their ability to come to the pantry.”

Unlike other food pantries that may require clients to fill out extensive questionnaires, people who come to the pantry housed in Battelle Chapel are asked only “How many are in your family?” to assist the pantry in tracking the number of people served. Instead of being handed a bag pre-packed with items they may not need or want, clients in Norfolk are invited to shop the shelves as they might a grocery store and make their own selections.  

Due to the increased traffic and shortage of its food supply, the pantry has recently had to limit visits to once per week and only two fresh meat and three dairy items per visit.  Beyond that, however, the policy still allows clients to shop for what they want and take home with them as many bags as they want.

Much has been written recently about the need for social interaction for mental health. The pantry provides that as well. “Typically, people stay for a chat,” says Deasy. “Each volunteer has a particular day—clients often form a relationship with a volunteer and continue to come that day. The clients and the volunteers get pretty attached.”

If asked, volunteers can provide information about additional social services. A new community bulletin board serves to alert clients to events and organizations that might be of interest. 

Local farmers have contributed fresh produce, including apples, potatoes, onions and dozens upon dozens of ears of corn. So much corn, says volunteer Trip Brizell, that volunteers have had to freeze it in the pantry’s new freezer. Canned goods, cereal, peanut butter and bulk items of rice, beans and mixes are always welcome, along with coffee, which continues to rise in price. The pantry also accepts winter clothing and, says Deasy, “Comforters, sheets and towels fly off the shelf.”

Monetary donations to the food pantry are always accepted and are tax deductible. Checks can be made out to the Norfolk Food Pantry and mailed to PO Box 582, Norfolk, CT 06058.