BUXTON – Idled four months, Buxton Community Cupboard has re-opened in a new headquarters in a former two-car garage adjacent to Buxton Centre Baptist Church at the intersection of Long Plains (Route 22) and Groveville roads.

The cupboard’s new home is handicapped accessible with a new ramp. Parking is plentiful, with access from either road.

“I think it’s working out good,” Gwen Hatch, cupboard president, said on Tuesday.

The cupboard is open to assist those in need 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Fridays. It’s in space donated by the church, and volunteers converted the garage into the cupboard.

The cupboard was previously located at Bonny Eagle Plaza. where the Plummer family had donated space for about 10 years. But the cupboard closed there in mid-March when Plummer’s needed space for its corporate offices.

The cupboard re-opened on July 18 in its spiffy, new location with only three families showing up; eight families came on July 23. In the past, Hatch said on Tuesday the cupboard had fed about 150 people monthly.

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“When we were closed, I got so many calls,” Hatch said.

While the cupboard was closed, Hatch said clients have been helped at the Buxton Community Food Co-op, a separately operated food pantry in town.

The cupboard’s operation depends on donations and volunteers. Hatch has been with the pantry for 15 years and Nancy Gallant since its inception about four decades ago.

The cupboard re-opened with items donated by the Living Waters Church in Buxton and the Gorham Post Office. The shelves were well stocked with groceries on Tuesday.

The cupboard expects to buy additional supplies from the Good Shepherd Food Bank and to receive some items free from York County Food Rescue.

Items available at the cupboard besides foodstuffs include toothpaste, soap and deodorants. Gallant said items it needs now include coffee, laundry detergent and dish soap.

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To be eligible to receive supplies, clients are required to apply at Buxton Town Hall. The cupboard serves a mix of clients, including young families. Gallant said many clients are elderly who “can’t quite stretch Social Security.”

When the cupboard faced need of a new home, the community rallied to help. Hatch said six volunteers transformed the two-car garage at the former church parsonage into its new space. The interior is freshly rehabbed, including walls, ceiling, paint, insulation, electrical service and a new concrete floor.

Equipment includes three freezers, a refrigerator and two electric heaters. The cupboard is ready to serve the community.

“We are anxious to see all our friends again,” said volunteer Pat Van Betuw.

Those wishing to donate food or money to the cupboard should call Hatch at 642-2396.

The Buxton Community Cupboard has re-opened in a new location at the intersection of Route 22 and Groveville Road. Volunteers pictured, in the front, are Gwen Hatch, cupboard president, and her granddaughter, Christine Hatch; in the back are Nancy Gallant and Jordan Walker of Hollis. Christine Hatch and Walker are Bonny Eagle High School graduates.  


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