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	Administrators Say Pantry Is Staying Put By Maria Armental Providence Journal October 25, 2007 http://www.projo.com/news/content/SC_CHTWN_FOOD_PANTRY25_10-25-07_AU7JVUV_v69.359e2e5.html CHARLESTOWN — Repairs at a Roman Catholic Church building that houses the area's largest food pantry are on hold following a news report — which food pantry officials have since refuted — that the food pantry plans to move, a diocese spokesman said yesterday. "If the diocese is going to be spending scarce financial resources to repair the facility, at the very least the assurance that the food pantry would be remaining at its current location would be a reassuring statement," said Michael K. Guilfoyle, the diocese's communications director. The pantry, which operates out of a 3,500-square-foot building next to St. James Chapel on Matunuck School House Road, has until Nov. 1 to make repairs or face shutdown under an order from the town. Guilfoyle said the contractor for the repairs, Pariseault Builders of Warwick, is awaiting the materials for the project. No start date has been set, according to the contractor, who estimated the project would be completed in several weeks. The repairs include installing steel frames and restraints, and reinforcing some joist connections with steel brackets. The latest controversy stems from an article in the local weekly newspaper that quoted the food pantry's director, Deborah D. Nigrelli, as saying the food pantry's 15-member advisory board had voted Monday night to move its operations. Nigrelli and the board's president, Kate Beaudreau, said yesterday the food pantry is not moving. "No one said we are moving out," Beaudreau said, adding, "Of course, we are discussing [options] in case we are shut down." Nigrelli said she told Guilfoyle Tuesday morning the food pantry wasn't moving. But the pantry, she said, is keeping its options open "because the diocese is not playing fair." Guilfoyle said the diocese and the parish need greater assurances. "She was quoted as saying, 'if anyone knows of any space, let us know,' " Guilfoyle said. "So, are they staying or are they leaving? "The parish needs to know, the diocese needs to know," he added. The food pantry and the diocese have been wrangling for months over the condition of the building, the work that needs to be done, and the cost of it all. The diocese ultimately agreed to pay for the structural repairs, up to $10,000, but imposed several conditions, including that nothing be stored in the attic and that the pull-down ladder be removed for safety reasons. Namely, Guilfoyle said, the diocese is concerned with the structural integrity of the staircase and the roof. A structural engineer's report prepared last August by Michael B. Plunkett of Wakefield's Engineering Associate Services found the building's roof could not meet the current building code for both snow and ice loads. Instead, the diocese said it would assist the food pantry in obtaining a storage bin. The first trailer, offering 320 square feet of storage space, was delivered Monday morning. More trailers will be provided if needed, according to the Rev. Paul E. Desmarais, who leads the combined St. Mary's-St. James' Parish. Nigrelli said she intends to continue using the approximately 2,000-square-foot attic to store clothing, blankets and other items, until a professional deems it unsafe. The attic has been inspected by the town building official, state fire marshal, and several engineers. "It was never a fire hazard before, but it is now, or so they say," Beaudreau said. "I am sick to my stomach … it's just a constant fight," she said. "The diocese is not working with us. They are more interested in protecting their criminals and paying for their lawsuits," she said of legal expenses related to sexual-abuse claims. Nigrelli and some food pantry volunteers accuse the diocese of trying to force the food pantry out of the building to sell it, a charge that Guilfoyle and Desmarais deny. In addition to the construction controversy, food pantry officials have learned donations dropped in the church's weekly collection basket but intended for the food pantry were instead deposited to the parish's accounts. Desmarais attributed the discrepancy to "human error" and said volunteer donation counters had been alerted of the problem. In addition, he said, the parish part-time treasurer is reviewing the matter and erroneous donations will be forwarded to the food pantry as they are discovered. Food pantry representatives estimated the amount involved could be several thousand dollars in cash and checks made payable to the food pantry. Contact: marmenta@projo.com
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