Food pantries coping with the realities of the economy

Goshen — Area food pantries are being stretched to their limits, with even greater numbers of people seeking help. While food pantries in Monroe, Chester, Woodbury and Goshen are in the midst of their annual Thanksgiving grocery distribution, they’re also coping with requests for assistance from people who never had to come to a food pantry before. Officials cited the declining economy as the main reason. “It’s not the same as it used to be,” said John Strobl, past president and board member of the Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry, based at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen. “You have the person who lost his job. Yes, he gets unemployment, but he has a mortgage, and bills and maybe a bit of money saved. He’s always taken care of himself. But when he pays everything, he’s got nothing left to buy food with. And he doesn’t qualify for food stamps.” Volunteer coordinators noted it’s no longer just the “regular clients” — those who are senior citizens, the disabled or those who have an ongoing need — who come for food. Numbers double in a week “It’s not always people who come twice a month,” said Gerry Cirrincione, a volunteer coordinator with the Monroe Food Pantry based at the Monroe United Methodist Church. “It’s not the people we may call ‘poor.’ It might be your neighbor next door who needs it right now. It’s not the low income but the middle income. These new people say, ‘Which bill do I pay?’” At the Woodbury Food Pantry, based at the Highland Mills United Methodist Church, the numbers of people have almost doubled on a weekly basis. “We used to have eight to 10 people every week, now we have 17 to 24 people weekly,” said Beverly Powell, the Woodbury pantry coordinator. “Years ago, they’d come if they didn’t have a job. Now, these are people who do work. They need help with the bills. They’re private people. It’s very hard for them to come here. They say they don’t want to come.” The Chester Food Pantry, based at the First Presbyterian Church in Chester, has similar findings. “Some people are just finding it hard to get a job that’s steady,” said James Peterson, coordinator of Chester’s pantry. “It’s kind of a little bit of everything right now. You have to try to get everyone going. I tell them, ‘It’s bad now but things will get better, it just takes time.’” The pantries rely on donations from community businesses, individuals and groups. Stop & Shop and ShopRite are big supporters. The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Cornwall is a resource that food pantries rely on, with regular orders placed for items. But cash also helps, too, and food pantry staff knows how to shop when they have to do so. “What I can buy for a buck probably costs you $10 to $12,” said Strobl. “It’s important for me for people to see how we spend their money,” added Cirrincione. “Their dollar is being stretched to the limit … until it squeaks.” Strobl said an additional burden to food pantries are those who qualify for public assistance but have a waiting period before their food stamps arrive. “The Department of Social Services is so far behind,” he said. “These people have to wait 45 to 60 days before they can get food stamps. We started getting people from Middletown and elsewhere coming for food. Now, we’re starting to pre-register people and as of the first of the year, they must live in the town or village of Goshen. We’ll refer them back to food pantries in their own towns for help.” All donations remain local Peterson, like his colleagues, wanted people to know all their donations remain local. “Everything that is donated stays in the community,” he said. “We don’t discriminate. If you need help, we’ll give it to you no matter what. There’s no specific questions as to why you would need it (food). It’s entirely up to them if they want to tell us.” People are very grateful for the food boxes, baskets or groceries, organizers said. “They are very appreciative,” said Powell. “You get the hugs and kisses. It’s hard for them out there.” Even those who donate food or volunteer their time find the experience rewarding. “We have a couple who brings two bags of groceries to us each week,” added Powell. “They do it because they say they’re blessed. They’re okay.” And while stacking heavy boxes of canned goods is hard work, even that’s gratifying. “When they walk out of the pantry, they are dead (tired),” said Cirrincione. “But there’s a smile on their face that is unimaginable.” The need is now As expected, food pantry coordinators are big supporters of the services they provide to the community. “I invite people to come to the pantry to see what we do,” said Cirrincione. “The point is that people do need help. It doesn’t matter what their ethnic group is or what color you are. The need is really there. No matter what your financial situation is right now, there is a food pantry open for you.” The coordinators also asked people to be as generous as possible with their support of the area food pantries. “Food pantries are in the greatest need right now in these economic times,” Cirrincione added. “It’s important to get people to help. With services being cut by the government and their agencies … because of budget cuts … more people will be visiting food pantries and more frequently now too. We are a community necessity.” While keeping the pantries stocked for those in need remains an ongoing issue, Strobl remained optimistic. “It makes it a challenge,” he said. “We just do the best we can.” DO YOU NEED HELP? The Chester Food Pantry 94-96 Main St., Chester, N.Y. 10918 469-4281 Open: Fourth Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. The Florida Community Food Pantry 1 North Main St., Florida, N.Y. 10921 651-4117 Open: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon The Greenwood Lake Food Pantry 701 Jersey Ave., Greenwood Lake, N.Y. 10925 477-0587 Open: Mondays, 9 to 11 a.m.; Saturdays, 10 to 12 noon The Goshen Ecumenical Food Pantry 33 Park Place, Goshen, N.Y. 10924 294-9004 Open: Second Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. The Monroe Food Pantry 142 Stage Road, Monroe, N.Y. 10950 783-1632 Open: First and third Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, second and fourth Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Woodbury Food Pantry 654 Route 32, Highland Mills, N.Y. 10930 928-6177 Open: Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry 135 Forester Ave., Warwick, N.Y. 10990 986-1030 Open: Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.