Island Grown Initiative (IGI) has reached a milestone in its mission to address food insecurity with the recent unveiling of a new, dedicated pantry at 114-116 Dukes County Ave., across from Tony’s Market.
The project was partially funded by a $1 million donation from the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation, and is awaiting its final certificate of occupancy before becoming fully operational; it’s expected to officially open on Nov. 18.
On Tuesday, and in a celebratory mood, IGI leaders and Martha’s Vineyard Bank officials cut a long green ribbon with a spectacularly large pair of red scissors.
For years, IGI’s food pantry operated out of the Portuguese-American (P.A.) Club, a space that officials were grateful to have during their mission to help feed Islanders during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the location was lacking in storage space and dedicated amenities.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of individuals served by IGI’s food bank has more than doubled, from 2,200 in 2019 to 5,700 this year, and roughly one in five year-round residents rely on the pantry for food.
Now, on Dukes County Avenue, they’ll have double the space for storage. The new building includes two large garage doors to improve pickups and deliveries; there are also two walk-in freezers that will help streamline food storage and distribution.
“Before, we were putting thousands of pounds of food in eight different freezers at the P.A.,” said Merrick Carreiro, food equity director for IGI. “The new facility’s two-garage-door receiving area and increased storage will allow us to improve efficiency, create a smoother pickup and drop-off experience, and ensure we can meet food needs on the Island.”
In addition to the new building, IGI has introduced the “Smart Choice” online ordering platform, which allows clients to shop in English or Portuguese online. This system, which offers an experience similar to online shopping with a virtual cart, enables a drive-through pickup, eliminating the requirement for customers to get out of their car.
“We’ve seen parents express gratitude for not having to wait in line,” said Carreiro. “There is still nice interaction between clients. It’s more relaxed, and it no longer feels like we are trying to push people in and out as fast as possible.”
Fridays will still be dedicated for walk-in seniors.
James Anthony, representing the Foundation, said it’s important for the bank to support community welfare.
“It means everything to the bank. We’re all part of the fabric of this community, and it gives meaning to what we do,” said Anthony. “This pantry has been a longstanding goal for the Island, and logistical challenges have only highlighted the need for a permanent food distribution site.”
The pantry will operate as usual out of the P.A. Club for the next week. Staff will encourage clients to take extra food in preparation for the temporary closure the week of Nov. 11, as IGI completes the move to the new location. IGI officials say that if all goes as planned, they will reopen on Nov. 18 at the new facility.
At the ceremony, officials said they are excited and looking forward to officially opening.
“I just placed our first order with the Greater Boston Food Bank, and for the first time, I was stress-free about not having to cram it all into the P.A. Club, so that’s nice,” Carreiro said at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Hoorah for this! A big thank you to IGF, the Bank, the volunteers, and especially to the P.A. Club for providing a port in a storm.
So let’s get this straight. You can’t afford to feed your family but you can afford a smartphone to order free food online? Oh, and you don’t have to prove a financial need to get this taxpayer paid for food? And you have a car so you can go through the drive thru? We have really devolved as a society. Or I guess it’s just Socialism.
John– you never disappoint me with your “superiority”
viewpoints. At least this time you didn’t say anything derogatory
about migrants– nice baby step–
But just for fun– let me call you out for openly
saying that society has “devolved” because we take care of the
less fortunate– Oh yes, we should all be longing for the days when
society was “GREAT”, and we put old ladies on ice flows and
allowed the downtrodden to starve to death on the streets.
But– I am just curious about one thing. Why do you say that
taxpayer money is being used for this ?
It’s clearly stated in the article as to where the funding for this
is coming from, and I know that you have at least rudimentary
comprehension skills, so what’s up ?
Is it just that you are so far down the “hate the poor” rabbit hole
that you just have to compulsively lie ?
HMMMM mmm I wonder where you got that from?
But let me push back if I may– Lying– even if one
happens to be afflicted with a compulsive lying disorder,
in no way makes it right or “moral” to lie, nor does it make the
lie truthful. ( that’s the more important part).
So in case you are having a hard time comprehending what i am
talking about since I have written more than 3 sentences—-
And if you don’t mind, I’ll shout so you can hear it—
NO TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING USED FOR THIS PROGRAM !!!!
Any questions ?
John, welcome to America.
Proudly democratic/capitalist/socialist for over ninety years.
No smart phone, no job.
No car, no job.
This is what happens when we the people decide.
Congratulations to the IGI food pantry on the completion of their new facility. Please remember that before IGI got involved both Betty Burton and Armen Hanjian gave many many years of service to running the food pantry out of the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven, as did countless other volunteers. It would have been nice if their many years of hard work and contributions had been acknowledged in this article detailing recent developments.
Ellen– thank you for acknowledging that.
I applaud this as a person who owns two residences in this neighborhood. Our little arts neighborhood is a contributor now in a huge way to issues of food insecurity, etc. Great effort by all involved!
Yay!
John
why do you think the Food Pantry gets taxpayer money? Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I believe IGI and the food pantry run on private donations.
And if you think having a car and a cell phone means you can afford to live on this Island, you must be living in some alternate universe.
In case you are wondering, I am lucky enough that I have never had to avail myself of the free food at the food pantry but I still think it is a great institution.
How about a little compassion?
Oh please . . .
Comments are closed.