WESTFIELD – On Feb. 19, the Westfield Food Pantry announced that it received a $126,100 grant from the Massachusetts Food Security Infrastructure Grant program to purchase a food truck to bring food to more residents in need.

Westfield Food Pantry Director Rebecca Hart said she had been thinking about bringing a food truck to Westfield for a long time before the grant gave them the opportunity.

“It’s something I have been thinking about for a long time because transportation issues are the number one barrier to people accessing services in Westfield and even this region. The project would not have happened without this grant, it was a huge amount of money to be awarded to us, so we are just thrilled,” she said.

To bring food to residents in need, Hart said the pantry will set the food truck up at elderly and low-income housing complexes.

“We plan on having scheduled times at elderly, disabled, and low-income housing complexes in Westfield, in addition to other areas where we can serve prepared meals so people can come up and get a hot meal, along with groceries to take home. It’ll be great for parts of town that aren’t within walking distance,” she said.

Along with bringing food to those in need in the community, Hart said the food truck will also be used for luxury grilled cheese at events to raise money for the food pantry.

“With the idea of a hybrid model, we plan on selling a product as well at the Farmer’s Market and area food truck locations. We are focusing on luxury grilled cheese and our emphasis is on local produce, we are sampling breads from a bread maker in Westfield. It’s really important to us to put money back into the local economy by supporting local businesses and farms,” she said.

Before the truck hits the road, Hart said residents can submit name suggestions on Facebook for a chance to win $100.

So far, Hart said the community has been supportive for the pantry’s new food truck.

“We’re really excited and see this as a community project, and a benefit for all of the Westfield community. The support and excitement from the community has been tremendous and we are so excited to share this great benefit with our community,” she said.

Hart added that she expects the truck to hit the road in July.