By: Brian Chin
The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked havoc on normal life. For many families, food has become a major concern amidst financial struggles. To help, several local residents have set up four mini-pantries around Hopewell Borough. Anyone can use them and anyone can contribute, but proper safety measures should be used when approaching the pantries.
These wooden pantries are painted blue and green and stand about 2-3 feet off the ground. One is already up by the Hopewell Presbyterian Church where Pastor Melissa Martin had first sparked the idea for the mini-pantries. Two others will be going up early this week — one by Aunt Chubby’s and the other at Hopewell Borough Park. The last one’s location is undecided. [UPDATE: Hopewell Borough Park location is up as on 4/15/2020.] Community members Todd Sutton, Kathie Sutton, and Pat Boyle helped build the structures.*
The same safety measures utilized when shopping at a store should be used for the pantries as well. Several guidelines have been posted to ensure safe use:
- Wear gloves and a mask (if you have one) when approaching the pantries
- Keep contact with the contents to a minimum
- If you can, wipe the areas you’ve touched with a sterile wipe
- Wash your hands and the produce at home
As always, anyone can contribute canned food and other non-perishable goods to the four pantries.
*Edited: Updated with names of individuals.
Brian Chin is a sophomore at Hopewell Valley Central High School. His favorite classes are math, computer science, and history. He’s involved in Model U.N., Future Business Leaders of America, and robotics. Brian enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and playing tennis in his free time.
