Mendon Council on Aging Backs Trial Run of Twice-Monthly Food Pantry

Council on Aging · Meeting of June 17, 2026

Mendon's Council on Aging moved toward twice-monthly food pantry service and received a progress report on a fully approved $15,000 technology grant at its June 17 meeting. Director Amy Wilson Kent cited thinning pantry stock, the end of school meal programs, and the storage limitations of elderly and mobility-impaired clients as reasons to expand from once-monthly to twice-monthly distribution, saying "with today's economy, it makes sense to increase the frequency." The board reached consensus to form a small working group to resolve volunteer staffing, building security, and scheduling before launching a summer trial, with Monday evenings identified as the most workable slot. On the grant, Member Phil Cieply reported a $15,000 technology award had cleared all approvals, with a receiving account being set up through the town administrator's office and a pilot program targeting July and August; a coordinator identified only as Andy has already met with the school department and a local computer vendor.

The COA closed fiscal year 2026 with 13.57 percent of its budget remaining, with van driver overtime flagged as a line item needing a larger appropriation in next year's budget.

In the full story:

• Treasurer's Report and End-of-Year Budget Status
• Friends of the Mendon Senior Center Report
• Food Pantry Expansion Discussion
• Grant Update
• Building Maintenance, Air Conditioning
• Program Follow-Up and Upcoming Events
• The complete report, 3,016 words

Source: the Council on Aging meeting of June 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.