MEXICO — The Old School Food Pantry is opening its new distribution site Wednesday at 3 Recreation Drive near the Police Station and River Valley Recreation Center.

“It’s going to be great,” manager Shannon Glover said Thursday as she and volunteers stocked shelves. The relocation from 115 Maine Ave. in Rumford provides room for people to be inside out of the cold, she said.

“We obviously let things kind of dwindle down so we didn’t have as much to move,” she said. “But we are going to stock it up pretty quickly.”

“Be patient with us for the first few weeks because we need to figure out this as well,” she said.

Patrons will be able to arrive no earlier than 2 p.m. in order to pick up food from 3-6 p.m. The restriction on arrival time is due to parking lot space.

“They can’t be here at noon and blocking the parking lot,” Glover said.

The pantry is run by the nonprofit River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition and has a crew of 16 volunteers.

Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day said the town is offering rent-free space, unless there is a noticeable increase in the utilities to the entire building.

The pantry provides nonperishable items, frozen and refrigerated foods and household items. Patrons can access the pantry once a month but can get fresh produce weekly. Reusable bags are requested

Glover said the pantry serves an average of 50 families per week. There are no income guidelines.

“We help anybody who needs help,” she said

Monetary donations may be made through the Holy Savior Rectory or by mail to Old School Food Pantry, P.O. Box 86, Rumford, ME 04276.

People who have products to donate may contact Glover at the Old School Food Pantry Facebook page or text Glover at Old School Food Pantry to set up a time to meet.

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