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The Royal Pantry in Amsterdam, New York, is preparing to reopen after securing necessary approvals following a closure in June due to a code violation. The food pantry, which had been a vital resource for the community, serving 300 to 400 families weekly, was forced to halt operations when the city flagged a code violation requiring a site plan to accommodate the number of people being served.
According to NEWS10 ABC, pantry Director Everett Flint expressed the impact of the closure on the community, stating, "We were set back with this closure. And the families and the people who we’ve served for over a year now are really suffering with this closure." The pantry's reopening is now contingent on reactivating their food distributors' account and conducting a final walkthrough of the facility.
The Amsterdam Planning Commission approved the pantry's site plan, allowing it to resume its services. As reported by The Daily Gazette, the pantry plans to address safety concerns by coordinating with volunteers and implementing measures to manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The pantry will shift its weekly distributions to Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and offer resources by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Despite previous challenges, Flint remains optimistic about the pantry's future, saying, "We’re excited and we’re anxious to get back to work and to continue to serve families and people of this Amsterdam and surrounding areas." The pantry has received strong community support, with neighbors, volunteers, and businesses rallying to aid in its reopening efforts.