Teams and individuals from the Rivertowns gathered on April 28 at the Irvington Presbyterian Church, where Rev. Dr. Blaine Crawford thanked them for participating in the CROP Hunger Walk to raise money for fighting hunger locally through Feeding Westchester, a food bank.
CROP (Christian Rural Overseas Program) Hunger Walks are held across the U.S and trace their origin to the CROP Project, when American farmers were asked to contribute food and seed crops to the hungry in post-World War II in Europe and Asia.
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry Panthers started the 2-hour walk in Irvington, turned around at Broadway and Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry, and headed back the same way, or returned via the aqueduct. Consensus pronounced it a 3.8-mile trek. My feet disagree. Maintaining a steadily increasing pace, Panther Ellen Klein led the way for some 70 participants and was at times a good 1,000 feet out in front.
The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry Panthers. Bijal Das, first row; Ellen Klein, South Presbyterian Church Pastor Margery Rossi and Bill Constant, second row; Duke Coffey (note pizza in hand), co-director Vera Halpenny, Robin Larkins, John Prendergast, SPC Deacon Andrew Smith and Deidre Constant, back row
It’s Not Just About the Food
Veteran food pantry volunteer Mary Anne Griggs takes a break from her usual role at the fruit and vegetable table to distribute bags of essential personal care products from CVS to our clients
From time to time, the pantry is the beneficiary of donations of nonfood items that help improve the health and quality of life for our neighbors in need. Sometimes it’s socks from Bombas. Back in May 2021, in the depth of the pandemic, local pediatrician Dr. Nitin Gupta of Rivertowns Pediatrics provided free Covid vaccines and boosters, with the assistance of Mary Anne Griggs, a retired registered nurse.
And then there is the fabulous Peluso-Fader Team. Michelle Peluso, a senior executive at CVS Health, arranged for CVS to donate 90 bags of essential personal care products for distribution at the pantry. Our clients were thrilled.
Michelle, along with her husband Marc Fader and children Cole and Auden, are not simply donors. They often show up to distribute items they’ve bought, like hats, coats and gloves this past winter. They are truly family.
Behind the Scenes
This year, the 2023-24 Rusty Bolt award went to our co-director, Vera Halpenny, who made two outstanding advancements to both safety and efficiency, among the most essential elements of running a food pantry. The award, consisting of a professionally finished base of mahogany or walnut, with an ugly, rusted 4-inch bolt stuck in the middle, is treasured by volunteers.
The Men Who Do the Heavy Lifting
Pantry volunteer Bijal Das, front, is shown here with the 4-man crew who carry the weight of every delivery from Feeding Westchester and Donna Assumma, pantry manager. Loading dock team members, back row, are Ken Perry, Eric Sweating, Bill Constant and Gene Hallacy.
Duke Coffey, a longtime pantry volunteer, wrote this month’s newsletter and created The Rusty Bolt award.
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 