Rivertowns Rotarians Volunteer at the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry
Driving through the Rivertowns and around Westchester, you’ve probably seen signs for Rotary International many times. Members are business, professional and community leaders who are part of a global network of over 46,000 clubs tackling issues—providing clean water, growing local economies, fighting disease and more.
Rivertowns Rotarians have worked on international service projects over the past 40 years, but first they serve local communities: They sponsor programs for seniors, children’s literacy and youth leadership and offer college scholarships to students at the four Rivertown high schools, among other things.
Pantry volunteers got a firsthand look at the Rivertowns Rotarians in action, and mightily impressed we were. The Rotarians chose to dedicate “A Day of Service” to the pantry on Wednesday, May 24, where they distributed fresh produce, shelf-stable food and household products to 87 families. Their day of service stretched to several days: Earlier in the week Rotarians prepared boxes of food for our clients, picked up donations from Panera Bread and more.
Welcome to the pantry, Rotarians. From left to right, Rotarians Deb Bornstein, Mariah Tamimi and Samar Tamimi are shown here with Donna Assumma, pantry distribution manager, and Gretchen Skaggs, pantry co-director, along with Rotarians Jean Sears and Kathy Ilardi.
Rotarians Tim Alpert, Abby Connett and Sue Alpert tested their marketing skills at the freebie table, a popular spot where our clients like to choose from the ever-changing mix of items. This table of one-offs is in addition to the produce, meat, eggs, milk, cereal, bread and shelf-stable food that our clients receive.
Rotarians’ Diaper Drive
The Rotarians also organized a diaper drive for our youngest clients and delivered the diapers to the pantry.
Rotarian Barbara and her friend Ed delivered a carload of diapers. Longtime pantry volunteer Andrew Smith, far right, helped them get these essentials to the families who need them.
Rotarian Bill Florin, right, and pantry volunteer Andrew Smith work together to unload a car filled with diapers.
Post Office Delivers
We also want to acknowledge the contributions of the U.S. Postal Service mail carriers who conducted their annual food drive for the food pantry. And whenever the donation bin at the Dobbs Ferry Public Library is full, Erik Carlson, library director, delivers the donations to the pantry. Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.
Behind the Scenes
For every pantry volunteer you see working outside South Presbyterian Church every Wednesday, there is another volunteer who labors elsewhere. This month we want to highlight those volunteers who deliver food to our clients who are physically unable to come to the pantry.
Delivery dispatcher Suzy Barnett prepares and tags the food that each driver is assigned to deliver every Wednesday morning. Delivering food is a tough job—driving in crummy weather, hunting for parking and climbing stairs and more stairs to reach our clients, ensuring they get what they need.
Pantry veteran Les Radoman, left, does many different jobs at the pantry, and now he is responsible for all Dobbs Ferry deliveries. New volunteer Dan Brodhead, right, joins driver Kim Parvin in delivering food to our Irvington clients.
Not shown is the legendary Krisanne Bayer, a longtime volunteer who will now fill in when Les is unavailable. Thank you, Krisanne!
Duke Coffey wrote this month’s newsletter. He has volunteered at the pantry for years and is our go-to person when things break.
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 