This week the Food Pantry served 137 families, and 478 people.
In addition to our usual distribution of food and sundry items, we hosted a pop-up clinic to provide Moderna vaccines to our clients and other community individuals. A huge shout out goes to Dr. Nitin Gupta, info@rivertownspeds.com who graciously provided the vaccine and administered it as well. He was assisted by our very own volunteers, Mary Anne Grigg, a nurse, and our dear beloved Molly Rodriguez who assisted in translating. Co-director, Gretchen Skaggs, brought the reinforcements for getting vaccinated – donuts! Dr. Gupta will return next week to administer more first shots of the vaccine to our clients.
We received another donation from our faithful Scarsdale Women’s Club, car loads of shelf stable goods that will go a long way to feeding our in-need community members. Thanks to Rosemary King, Joan David and their fellow supporters. It is so gratifying to see how simple acts of kindness can help build a stronger and more vibrant community.
With the church planning to resume in-person services, starting June 6th, we are working hard to complete our transition from the sanctuary to mainly Fellowship Hall. There we will discreetly share physical space with other initiatives and activities. I think the Transition Team of Duke Coffey, Suzanna Halatyn and Suzy Barnett did a fantastic job in organizing space and making it aesthetically pleasing. The pantry is so lucky to have such dedicated and creative individuals who give so generously of their time and energy. There was an expense to our moving with the need to build shelves, buy cabinets and put up screening. We hope to find grant money from the Giving Circle of Lower Westchester. Monica Gains has been a real supporter of the pantry and we appreciate anything they might be able to do for us.
This week we also made contact with Stop & Shop Manager Jim, who will be the point person to donate to pantries under the Excess Food Act. The Excess Food Act created guidelines for supermarkets to donate “excess food” to pantries across the state. This will be fully enacted June 1, 2021. It is about time this common sense law was promulgated. Stop & Shop is also promoting purchasing “Give Back” reusable bags and will give our pantry $1.00 for each one sold. So next time you’re at the store, consider purchasing one!
Rivertown Rotary Club will be doing a diaper drive May 22 and we are in desperate need of sizes 5 and 6!
The most needed items this week: Size 5 and 6 diapers, baby wipes, tuna, tomato sauce (no glass jars).
Remember, we are so appreciative of all donations, big and small. If you have something to donate, you can leave it in the bin outside the church doors. Bigger donations will be received by volunteers – just send an email to this address and we will arrange for someone to help. Please remember to donate only items that haven’t expired and are unopened. Thank you for your support! And of course, financial donations of all sizes are extremely helpful.
Be well,
Vera Halpenny, Co-Director, Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 