When the Mansfield Public Library shut down for its annual winter cleaning and refresh, it reopened with a new feature: a food pantry station.  In partnership with the Town of Mansfield’s Human Services Department, which operates a larger pantry at its location on Maple Road, the library now welcomes families and individuals to pick up necessities they might need while also visiting the library.  

Mansfield Public Library is located in a different part of the community and near the Mansfield Elementary School, so providing an additional pickup spot for shelf-stable food provides a convenient service for residents.

““Libraries have a rich history of meeting the needs of their communities beyond just offering books,” says Library Director Devon Andrews.   “Our library visitors have long been able to borrow cake pans, power tools, and toys as well as books, movies, and music.  Serving as a satellite food pantry location is just a natural extension of the resources available to patrons. It is our hope that community members visiting the library’s pantry space will also be connected with the myriad of additional ways that the library can offer support, including technology assistance through our Digital Navigator program and lendable hotspots and Chromebooks,” she adds.

The Human Services Department under Director Jessica St. Louis has made a concerted effort to battle food insecurity in Mansfield.  Department staff promote access to basics by offering a Food Pantry at their offices and by hosting the Food Share Mobile Van every other Thursday.  The department also coordinates the previously grant-funded Mansfield Farms to Families program as well as an innovative

Meal Kit program. Among its key goals, the Mansfield Town Council has set a priority to make services easier to access in Mansfield.  The Human Services department supports this goal by offering delivery for those with transportation issues, virtual appointments, as well as home visits for those residents in need.  

The departments collaborated to launch a Summer Fun Bus program last June which dropped bags of food, books, and fun activities to qualifying families and individuals at key stops around Town.  Within Mansfield Public Schools, about 25% of students qualify to receive free or reduced lunches because of their families’ household income, so assisting families with summer meals is especially important.

“The goal is to ensure that every member of our community has access to the most basic necessities, food being one of the most essential,” says Human Services Director St. Louis. “We never want to see anyone go hungry. While this is a small satellite pantry, it reflects our commitment to making food accessible to all. We encourage anyone in need to reach out so we can support them through our food programs and the other resources we offer.”

To learn more details about support programs that are offered through Mansfield Human Services or to apply for programs you can call 8660-429-3315, email human.services@mansfieldct.org or visit the website at https://www.mansfieldct.gov/1896/Food-Programs

To support the food programs of the Mansfield Human Services Department with cash or food donations, call 860-429-3315 or visit https://www.mansfieldct.gov/1896/Food-Programs