There is no longer a food shelf in the Weathersfield village of Perkinsville, or anywhere else in Weathersfield. That has created a hardship – not just for residents who are food insecure, but also for at least one food shelf in a neighboring community. The Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf has been serving approximately 20 Weathersfield families since the food shelf at the Perkinsville Community Church closed its doors.
Three representatives from the Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf went before the Weathersfield Select Board last month. Among them was Sue Joyal, who asked the board if Weathersfield intends to open another food shelf. Selectman Dan Boyer said it would not happen right away.
Mr. Boyer said it may be possible to have the food shelf at the Perkinsville School in the 1879 building but the building is not ready yet and quite a bit of work has to be done for occupancy during the winter months.
Three volunteers have already expressed an interest in running a new food shelf in Weathersfield. In the meantime, the Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf is looking to Weathersfield to help ease its financial burden.
Ms. Joyal said the Board for the Reading-West Windsor food shelf met and they will continue helping Weathersfield families for the next six months but they need Weathersfield to compensate them $500 per month to do so. She said this is how much they figure it takes to service the 20 families.
The Weathersfield Select Board voted unanimously to donate $3,000 from the town's "Residents in Need Fund" to the Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf. The board is continuing discussions on renovating the 1879 Perkinsville School building.
