Lot cleared for new Damien's Place Food Pantry location, opening expected in December - Wareham Week

After announcing their new location in August 2022 and receiving zoning approval and buildings permits from the town, Damien’s Place Food Pantry expects to open this December, just in time for the holidays.

The lot at 242 Marion Rd., which was donated by William, Catherine and John Decas, was cleared of trees over the past few weeks, laying the groundwork for the 5,000 square foot pantry, complete with a community garden outside and solar panels on the roof.

“Just to see the project started … it feels real for the first time,” said Damien’s Place Development Lead Rhonda Veugen. “It’s going to be night and day.”

Damien’s has raised $1.43 million of its $2.2 million goal, leaving $770,000 left to raise. The pantry expects $420,000 more to come in from existing commitments and requests, and will be asking the community to donate the remaining $350,000.

Historically, Damien’s serves about 150 people per week, but that number has doubled over the last year, Veugen said. She attributes the uptick partially to the February 2023 expiration of extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits that were put in place during the pandemic.

Increasing need requires increasing storage. The existing pantry, at 3065 Cranberry Hwy, has limited dry storage, fridge and freezer space and office space, Veugen said. Not only does that limit the amount of food they can store, it also means they don’t have the space to offer choices to guests.

The Greater Boston Food Bank, where Damien’s buys most of its food, recommends that all food pantries allow clients to choose their own food, as it “increases client dignity,” according to GBFB’s guide to starting a food pantry. The new building will have an open floor plan that allows guests to walk around and choose groceries.

The upgraded pantry will also be able to protect guests from rain and cold weather through a heated canopy that will extend beyond the entrance.

While guest service will remain the pantry’s primary focus, the larger space will allow Damien’s to become a “cross dock” pantry, which means they will unload food from the Greater Boston Food Bank and then load it back onto delivery trucks headed to smaller food assistance operations.

Veugen said the building itself is being built offsite, and should be delivered sometime in mid-July. Damien’s plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony at that time

Donations can be made to the project at damiensfoodpantry.org/capital-campaign/.

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