While Little Compton is generally known as a wealthy community, an alternate reality exists for some local residents who must rely increasingly on area food banks to put food on their tables.

One organization that quietly helps is the Little Compton Food Bank. Founded in the 1990s in the basement of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, the food bank now serves Tiverton and Little Compton residents on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings in the lower level of the Little Compton Wellness Center at 115 East Main Road. 

Carter Wilkie, president of the organization’s all-volunteer board, said the pantry assists about 60 households weekly, up from roughly 30 or 35 households a year ago.

At last week’s Financial Town Meeting, Little Compton voters acknowledged the higher numbers by approving $30,000 in funding for the coming fiscal year — almost a six-fold increase in the current appropriation of $5,200.

Wilkie said the town’s contribution will help cover a portion of the food bank’s $145,000 annual budget. The remainder comes from fundraisers and donations from individuals, local churches, and philanthropic groups.

Who are the clients?

“We exist to help people who are experiencing food insecurity and don’t have enough food in the refrigerator or much in the cupboards,” said Wilkie. “It really makes a difference in people’s lives.”

Volunteers, along with the food bank’s two part-time employees, take a low-key approach in welcoming visitors, he said.

“We are here to serve people who are hungry. If they are coming in, it’s a sign they really need help. All we ask for is proof of residency, showing they live in either Little Compton or Tiverton.”

Most of the individuals who visit the food bank reflect the demographics of the area, he said, which means not many families with young children are stopping by. 

“You don’t see a lot of families here, since you don’t see many families in Little Compton these days. It’s too expensive to live here. Mostly, our clients are seniors who may have worked their whole lives in jobs that didn’t pay much on an hourly basis and had no retirement benefits. If you are collecting $1,000 in social security payments, it doesn’t really go very far.”

Citing statistics showing that grocery prices have risen by 25 percent in the past four years, he added, “For the people who depend on the food bank for their sustenance, their incomes have not kept pace. After you’ve paid the basic necessities for housing, heat in the winter, and medications, there really isn’t much left over to keep the cupboards stocked.”

Locally sourced options – and more

A while ago, the food bank did a survey of clients asking what is currently missing from its shelves. The response was dairy products.

Now, says Wilkie, “we are really happy that we are keeping people’s refrigerator shelves stocked with locally produced milk and eggs.”

About 70 percent of the pantry’s greens and fresh produce is also local, and clients often can choose meat that is sourced from three livestock farms that operate in this area.

The pantry is well stocked with a wide array of non-perishable items, including cereals, soups, pasta and sauce, canned foods, and condiments. Clients have access to paper products, dish and hand soap, and toiletry items. And one weekend each month, a selection of pet foods and supplies is available, courtesy of a local nonprofit known as Family Pet Advocates.

Pointing to a study in the United Kingdom that shows only 25 percent of eligible people in that country actually take advantage of food banks, Wilkie said he suspects the numbers in Little Compton are similar, due in part to a perceived stigma associated with accepting charity. Others in need who would actually like to visit the food bank may have transportation or mobility issues or health challenges that preclude them from doing so, he said.

For that reason, the food bank’s board members are in talks with other local nonprofit groups, to see if there is a way to expand its model to reach more people.

“That may mean getting food out to them as opposed to having them come through the door,” said Wilkie.

In the meantime, plans are underway for a fundraiser and open house in July, to give community members a chance to visit the food bank and see how it operates.

“I think we will make our budget this year,” said Wilkie. “There are a lot of people of good will, and a lot of generous people who will help close the gap.”

The Little Compton Food Bank is open to Tiverton and Little Compton residents on Fridays from 1-2:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. For more information, visit https://littlecomptonfoodbank.org/