By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Four years in the making, a new centralized hub for human services — anchored by an expanded regional food pantry — has officially opened in North Attleborough.
On Friday, April 17, town leaders unveiled the Lenore Paquin Health and Human Services Center at 451 Elm St.
The roughly $6 million project, funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), brings together the Council on Aging, Board of Health, Veterans Services, and Lenore’s Pantry in a single, accessible location to better serve residents and increase support across the region.
Town Manager Michael Borg said the facility reflects a more coordinated approach to connecting residents with the resources they need.
“It’s about people,” Borg said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. “It’s about making sure when someone in our community needs help, guidance or just a connection, they know where to go — and when they get here, the services they need are accessible and delivered with care.”
Regional approach to food access
At the center of the project is a significantly expanded, market-style food pantry — an evolution of Lenore’s Pantry that officials say will increase capacity while offering a more dignified experience.
State Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) said the need for food assistance has risen sharply in recent years.
“Recent data shows about 40% of households are food insecure, and in Bristol County that number is even higher — around 44%,” Scanlon said. “That’s roughly doubled since before the pandemic.”
The updated model allows individuals and families to shop by appointment or during open hours on Wednesday afternoons, creating a more private and welcoming experience while expanding its ability to serve neighboring communities.
Inside, the pantry resembles a small grocery store, with shelves stocked with baking mixes, canned goods, toiletries and baby essentials. There is a fresh produce section, along with refrigerated cases for milk and eggs, and freezers filled with frozen foods.
“This isn’t just a new senior center, pantry or town hall annex,” Scanlon said. “It’s a community hub built around a single idea — making it easier to help support people.”
Honoring a local legacy
The building is named after the late Lenore Paquin, North Attleborough’s longtime public health nurse, who founded the food pantry in 1972.
The Town Council voted unanimously April 13 to approve the naming, recognizing Paquin’s more than 27 years of service and lasting impact on the community.
Resident and former Board of Health member John Donahue described Paquin as a visionary and said her early efforts laid the foundation for what exists today.
“At a time when food insecurity wasn’t widely recognized, she started helping families out of her own home,” Donahue said. “What began with about 35 families has grown into an institution that now serves more than 125 families.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lenore’s daughter, Leslie Paquin, said her mother never sought recognition.
“She never wanted accolades,” she said. “But this is beyond anything we could have imagined.”
Leslie Paquin recalled how the pantry began in a small closet near her mother’s office. Family and friends would buy extra groceries for the pantry while doing their own shopping.
“When the pantry got low, our mom would take food from our cupboards and bring it to work,” she said.
Lenore’s family said the new facility reflects the kind of work she dedicated her life to — helping others quietly and consistently.
A collaborative effort
The project took shape over several years, beginning with discussions about how to better coordinate services and expand food access in the region.
Borg said the effort gained traction after Councilor Dan Donovan identified 451 Elm St. — a former drive-through bank — as a potential site, with Town Council support helping move the concept forward.
The ARPA funding allowed the town to invest in both the building and a broader response to food insecurity, while also addressing long-standing space needs for senior services.
Assistant Town Manager Antonio Morabito was credited with leading the project, from renovations to coordinating the relocation of multiple departments.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” Borg said. “It took a shared vision — and a lot of work — to get here.”
Community partnerships also played a key role, including collaboration with the Hockomock Area YMCA and volunteers who have long supported Lenore’s Pantry.
“This is a place that reflects what is possible when a community comes together with purpose, compassion and a shared commitment to care for one another,” remarked Hockomock YMCA CEO Jim Downs.
Expanding services, improving access
In addition to the pantry, the center provides expanded space for senior services, replacing an older, multi-level facility that officials said no longer met community needs.
Veterans Services offices are also located on the building’s upper level, further expanding the range of support available on site.
State Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro) said the centralized model will help remove barriers for residents seeking assistance. Both Feeney and Scanlon will also maintain offices at the facility, allowing residents to access state resources locally.
“If someone is down on their luck and needs help, they can come here without stigma and maintain dignity,” Feeney said.
The center is expected to begin full operations in early May, with pantry appointments and expanded programming for seniors and other residents. For town leaders, the opening marks both a milestone and a shift in how services are delivered.
“This is a proud moment,” Borg said. “But more importantly, it’s the beginning of a new chapter — one where we continue to evolve how we care for people in this community.”