The Falmouth Food Pantry occupies some of the space in Town Hall formerly occupied by the Falmouth Police Department. Since 2008 the Food Pantry's client list increased from 35 to 225 families. Approximately 8-15 new families are signed up each month since last fall. This has placed the Food Pantry in urgent need of more and better functioning space in order to meet its clients’ needs in the most efficient manner possible. A renovation of 475 sq.ft. of space and a new addition of approximately 325 sq.ft is projected to meet the Food Pantry’s current needs.
The Council has recently determined that it desires to have the Town Hall offices remain in their current location and to plan for the building's capital needs. This provides an opportunity for the Food Pantry, as a Town Hall "tenant," to do the same.
A $6,000 CDBG grant from Cumberland County will enable the Food Pantry to hire an architect and conduct soil tests to scope out the most appropriate concept plan. The concept plan will then be used to seek all required approvals and solicit private and public matching funds throughout the community to complete the renovation and construction. Construction may occur in late 2012. (Note: Future CDBG funds are targeted to assist with actual construction.) A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to file a 2011 Planning Grant for this
purpose is attached as well as a draft application which contains additional information. As residents from other communities, such as Yarmouth, are also being served by the Falmouth Food Pantry, co-sponsorship of this application is being sought from the Town of Yarmouth's Council on January 20th. Deadline for applications is January 28, 2011.
Dorothy Blanchette of the Falmouth Food Pantry will be present to answer any questions. |
