The Peterborough Food Pantry reopened on Wednesday, Dec. 17, after flooding caused by a boiler leak the previous week closed the facility.
The pantry, located across from All Saints Church at 52 Concord St., will maintain its regular schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday if no further issues arise. Because of the flood damage on the first floor, all operations will temporarily take place in the social hall on the second floor.
Pantry director Glo Morison said a residential restoration company, Servpro, responded immediately after the flooding was reported. “Based on the damage assessment, it looks like new flooring and wall paint will be needed,” Morison said. “Luckily, the building’s insurance will cover the damages.”
Morison said she hoped the ground floor would reopen next week, but repairs and the holiday season may push that timeline back.
“We’ll be fortunate if it opens back up by mid-January,” she said.
Despite the damage, Morison said the pantry still has access to its refrigerator and freezer and is distributing meat, eggs, fresh produce and leftover fixings from Thanksgiving. A local Scout troop also donated 75 boxes of freshly baked cookies.
According to Morison, “The pantry’s main priority right now is ensuring people have food for the holidays, and fortunately for us, Shaw’s grocery store and its customers have made that feasible through their generous local food donations program.”
The Peterborough Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. More information is available at pfoodpantry.org.