Why Do Children Go Hungry in Westchester?
For children, summer signals a break from school and the routines that go with it. But for some kids—those who receive free breakfast and lunch at school—summer break means there are 10 meals a week that aren’t guaranteed.
It’s crucial, of course, for children to eat nutritious food for healthy growth and development, and providing that food can help alter the trajectory their lives take. Which is why, on any Wednesday morning, you’ll see pantry volunteers welcoming our youngest clients — children of all ages, standing in line with a parent, waiting to receive fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, cereal, meat, milk and bread. Over the past 12 months we’ve helped 179 children.
Donations make this possible, including ones from local children who asked family and friends for pantry donations, instead of receiving a slew of birthday presents. All of these kids inspire us to do more.
Volunteers Kristy Fitzgerald and Roubi Eliopoulos greet our clients, offering them bread and bagels. At right, Eileen Quinlan, a longtime volunteer, offers packaged protein to clients that’s in addition to the eggs, fish or meat we provide.
As soon as school wrapped up in late June, pantry volunteers Suzy Barnett and Sharon Bilman rolled out our SOS (School’s Out for Summer) program. For the past few summers we’ve been giving an extra bag of food each week to our families with school-age children. “Our goal is to give them a little extra food that’s nutritious and that kids like to eat,” said Bilman. “We try to remove a little bit of stress, and hope that our families have a fun summer.”
Each SOS bag holds breakfast and lunch foods that are easy for bigger kids to make on their own: cereal, oatmeal packets, yogurt pouches, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, pre-cooked pasta pouches and healthy snacks.
Thanks again to CVS, Michelle Peluso, a senior executive at CVS Health, her husband, Marc Fader and their children for their SOS donation.
The SOS program runs for four more weeks, so there’s still time to donate. Nonperishable food can be left in the bin outside South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, or go to our donate page. Prefer checks? Please mail your check, payable to Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry, to:
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry
South Presbyterian Church
343 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
How This All Happens
Volunteers run the pantry, Feeding Westchester, a food bank, supports our work, and the rest is magic: Rivertown residents, civic groups, churches and synagogues donate food and money, conduct food drives and spread the word that people need food.
The Scarsdale Woman’s Club recently dropped off two wagons of food, and Ardsley United Methodist, another generous supporter, filled up carts loaded with food and household products. And thank you, Sara Sellitti, for once again bringing baskets of herbs and vegetables from the Springhurst garden.
Miguel and Fred of Cabrini of Westchester delivered cartloads of food and personal items to the pantry. The items were donated by Cabrini employees and people who have family members at Cabrini, a nonprofit devoted to caring for seniors and the disabled.
Up for a Drive?
Although we are fully staffed with volunteers, we need donations. You can help by doing a drive, collecting food, toiletries or diapers. Please email Kristy Fitzgerald at kristymfitzgerald@hotmail.com for details. We’re working together to help our neighbors.
Kimberly Janeway loves volunteering at the pantry and wrote this month’s newsletter.
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 