But the program’s volunteers said the need for such a program remains.
“Hundreds of people we’re in contact with haven’t rebounded from COVID,” Nelly Medina, a community organizer with the Parents Union of Massachusetts, said in an interview this week. PUMA helps coordinate the food distribution with Rock of Salvation Church, the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, and others.
“It’s a dire situation, Medina continued. And they are going to be the hardest hit by the loss of food.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program was enacted as part of the April 2020 Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and partnered with food distributors and nonprofits to buy and distribute $3 billion worth of food to the most vulnerable.
After being sold at auction, Dresser Hill Ice Cream in Charlton and The Clam Box in Brookfield each have new owners who are planning to spruce up the buildings while keeping other elements of the businesses the same.
Dresser Hill Ice Cream at 290 Dresser Hill Road in Charlton, and The Clam Box at 53 South Maple St. in Brookfield were sold at foreclosure auctions on April 12. The businesses and thbuildings had different owners.
The Clam Box was bought by Tim Dugas, who s been renting the building for about two years.
Dugas said he was nervous on auction day because he hadn t yet received approval for a loan to try to buy the property.