As Food Insecurity Rises, Mansfield Food Pantry Receives GBFB Grant to Improve Food Access

The Mansfield Food Pantry recently received a $5,300 grant from the Greater Boston Food Bank to replace an aging freezer and refrigerator with brand-new, energy-efficient units.

The upgrade is more than just a swap of appliances. The new units feature glass doors, which may not sound revolutionary—but at the Pantry, they are.

The old freezer and refrigerator had solid steel doors, so volunteers displayed frozen items in large boxes for shoppers to browse. Now, shoppers can simply look through the glass doors, see what’s available, and make their selections more easily.

The new equipment also replaces units whose repair bills had begun to outweigh their value—a situation familiar to anyone who has ever poured money into an aging car or appliance.

“These new units allow us to show shoppers their fresh food options so they can choose what they need and move through our shopping areas more quickly,” said Pantry Steering Committee member Dick Kelsay. “It gives them an overall better experience.”

Dick with our new refrigerator and freezer!

The grant comes as food insecurity continues to rise across Massachusetts. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank’s 2026 Massachusetts Food Access Report, an estimated 40% of households experienced food insecurity in 2025, placing increasing demand on local food assistance programs.

The Greater Boston Food Bank supports more than 600 community partners across Eastern Massachusetts, including the Mansfield Food Pantry, helping provide fresh, nutritious food to neighbors in need.