February 14, 2025

Seekonk Lions Club News

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This is Paul Buckley from the Seekonk Lions Club. Thanks for taking the time for reviewing this enlightening article in this gracious publication.

Where can you find a place in Seekonk visited by 113 local families, over 300 people making 2500 shopping trips a year? Might it be Stop and Shop? Price Right? Gasbarro’s Fine Wine and Liquor? The Good Seed? Oscar’s Foodland?

Great guesses but they fell flat. These numbers come from Doorways Food Pantry. Doorways is the volunteer packed operation that serves “support and love” to local families who are struggling to put food on the table. As you see here in the Reporter, organizational chiefs, hardworking charitable institutions and the endowment minded have their picture taken handing over a check at Doorways to a representative. It is a noble act of kindheartedness. You have seen a few of us Lions presidents do the same. Being my turn this year I wanted to do something different. Of course, I got my picture taken handing over that check for $5000 to Gerry McCabe; but we did it at Micheletti’s and had breakfast with great conversation.

Gerry was dynamic in telling his passion for the working history of Doorways. A couple of Seekonk residents who “wanted to put their faith into action” conceived doorways back in 2001. Doorways is a 100% volunteer operation. Doorways has been at the Old North School for 20 years… before the South Coast Collaborative, a public special education day school, occupied the old school. They are a school for kids with social-emotional and behavioral challenges. The South Coast Collaborative has been a great landlord to Doorways. They have never changed requirements, are most helpful/ accommodating and are a great community partner.

To qualify to be a client or neighbor of Doorways, people need to see Seekonk Human Services. The USDA sets income guidelines, and if you fall in that guideline, passionate people are ready to serve. Something I did not know, most of the food comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank. There are donations from local farms, food drives, grocery stores, and such but Doorways purchases food at a subsidized cost to keep those coffers full. Three to five thousand pounds, twice a month comes from the food bank while one third comes from the community. Interestingly, food donations are the least donation. The most are monetary, and those donations go to purchasing food from the food bank.

After enjoying our breakfast made personally by John Whitelaw, my business partner Gary, Treasurer Guy and myself took a visit that Saturday to the old North School to see and listen to what this organization Doorways has done for almost 25 years. When we arrived, Paul Hodge welcomed us. He was directing the “client” traffic outside that cold morning. What a nice person Paul is…so is Gerry. If you do not smile while you are talking to these two, you might need to have your head checked. Paul has been a member of Doorways for fifteen years. Gerry for eighteen. Members of the board, who are actively involved or “hands on” as Gerry says, have been serving for twenty-four years. Thirty to forty volunteers round up the dynamic staff accruing time served.

Gerry took us inside the school for a tour. It was 10am and the neighbors (clients) were thinning out. Gerry explained they received “unexpected” and tasty donations this week. They had a table outside for that quick pick. As we go inside, they have the layout of food to perfection. Aisles of cereals, canned soup, macaroni and cheese, boxes of crackers, Ramadan noodles, baked items, fresh fruit and vegetables. This abundance takes in the place of two old classrooms and the hallway in between. Business partner Gary pointed out he went to elementary class in one of these rooms, with an old chalkboard still intact!

Gerry says that space is tight, but they are not looking to move. They spend a lot of time trying to fit product constantly. There are fire regulations, and they need to keep the aisles clear. A nice benefit to Doorways being there is the town plows the parking lot. Which you can imagine helps so much especially when you have to break down skids of food from the food bank. One of the volunteers who keeps things moving is Diane Fox. Diane has been a longtime volunteer. She is the person who orders food from the Greater Boston Food Bank. Diane is there every Saturday making sure the operation that day runs like a well-oiled machine.

Another benefit of Doorways having a partner like the South Coast Collaborative are the students from the school. As I mentioned earlier, the kids have special needs, and they help periodically with the volunteer team. They participate in helping Diane break down skids of food and sorting product. Participation in helping Doorways is very special to these kids. They have limited opportunities to be part of certain activities, let alone being a volunteer at Doorways. Being a part of the gang at Doorways lifts their merit when they are there. They are proud to say, “I work for Doorways”! How about that?

Back to talk of donations, Gerry said October to January are the most donated months. Doorways sends out a letter every November looking for contributions. The monetary haul during this time funds their operation for a year. In addition, there is the annual Boy Scout food drive. The Mailman Carriers have a food drive on Mother’s Day. Local schools and churches have yearly food drives. Stop and Shop in the north and south ends have receptacles. The Seekonk Library, which also has a receptacle, runs a program swapping food for overdue items. For example, if you owe five dollars to the library for that overdue item, bring in five cans of food and they will call it even. How cool is that!

Gerry and Paul said they have open house for certain donors. They give a presentation on the clientele. The clientele tell of what Doorways means to them. You can view a few of these quotes on their web site. They stress the volunteers are very friendly and warm. It is a “Good Culture with a Friendly Vibe”. Clients become neighbors and friends to the volunteers. The volunteers know every client by name. Very social. They talk life celebrations and miseries. As Gerry put it, Doorways is not about food…its personal.

Saying goodbye to Gerry and Paul, I left there feeling like I wish I had known all this good vibe and work they do at Doorways years earlier. I was moved…no doubt. Gerry and Paul told me that the Seekonk Lions Club has been one of the largest monetary donors over the years. I was happy to hear that. We give a lot of money to Massachusetts Lions Eye Research, Lions International Disaster funds, and many groups and organizations in Seekonk but this one to me was the sweetest.

Just a quick note, as you can see on these pages, The Seekonk Lions club recently presented a check to the Seekonk American Legion Post 311 for $1000. The Legion has been a great friend and partner to us Lions. We have meetings and have our annual fishing derby banquet over there. Back in the day, I used to bartend there. I have known Russel, Kenny and Bob for years and they are great people. Someone always brings up the candles on the bar!

Lastly, I mentioned Mr. Rick Sousa as the president of the Seekonk Little League in my last scribe. I want to take that back. I heard he was, but that is not true. Ricks good a person and I want to thank him for pointing that error out.

Paul

HOME | Doorways Food Pantry

Seekonklionsma@gmail.com 

Seekonk Lions Charitable Trust Inc.

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