WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Community Food Shelf has moved to a larger location, which will enable volunteers to serve a growing number of families.
The nonprofit organization is now located at 21704 Maxham Meadow Way Unit 1E, a short distance down the road from its previous location. Its new home, a former childcare center, is 1,900 square feet — more than double the 700 square feet of space it had rented since 2009.
“We’ve settled in quite comfortably and we’re using every square inch,” said Judi Greene, food shelf’s director and board chair.
The new location officially opened July 13. The organization will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The nonprofit organization purchased the unit for $415,000, using money from an angel donor, the Acadia Fund, the Green Mountain Foundation and Lynn and Phil Rauch, Greene said.
“The space is so much more welcoming,” board member Ann Jones, of Woodstock, said during a tour last Thursday. In its previous location, the aisles were narrower, allowing only two shoppers to walk through at a time. “Now as long as there’s a flow, you can send people through.”
The move came at the perfect time: In the last five years, the number of people visiting the food shelf has more than doubled. In June 2026, volunteers served 675 household members versus 252 household members in June 2021, according to data provided by Greene. This June, the food shelf served 145 households, compared to 52 in June 2021.
“In June 2026, 14 new individuals signed up for food, which translates to 255 more non-perishable items per week that we need to provide based on the size of their households,” Greene, of Pomfret, wrote in a follow-up email.
Each household can visit once a week: Mondays, 4 to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.; or Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon.
“A guest may choose non-perishable items, plus a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, 2 sticks of butter, a block of cheese, ½ gallon of milk, and meat,” Greene wrote. “In addition, they may choose what they need for the week from our selection of vegetables.”
The food shelf also has personal care items including dental floss and tries to offer pet food when it can.
While the majority of the people who visit the food pantry live in Woodstock and the surrounding towns, residents of more than 30 towns stopped by for food in 2025, according to data provided by Greene.
“The bulk of our people are young families,” Greene said.
Jones said she has noticed an increase in assistance to multi-generational households and younger people who are working full time, including those employed in the service industry.
“They’re just not making enough,” Jones said.
“They work hard,” Greene added. “There are so many different scenarios and you hear them all.”
More changes are on the way: This year, the Woodstock Rotary Club raised $60,000 during its annual gala for the Woodstock Community Food Shelf, Greene said. It is using that money to purchase a walk-in refrigerator and freezer.
“Purchasing will be more cost-effective, and we can take advantage of sales,” Greene said, adding that the additional storage will allow for more bulk purchases. While the food pantry receives a fair amount of donated food, it also has to purchase items, including household staples like milk and bread.
Both Greene and Jones lauded the generosity of the organization’s 45 volunteers and community members, including a man who donates raspberries from his property.
“People in this community… generous isn’t a strong enough word,” Greene said.
Visit woodstockfoodshelf.org for more information about the Woodstock Community Food Shelf.
