February 2025

When a Community Comes Together, Great Things Can Happen

It was a great day in Dobbs Ferry on Sunday, February 2, magical, even.

Members of the community and nearby towns came to a 3-hour jazz concert at South Presbyterian Church to raise money for the food pantry, enabling us to keep buying healthy, nutritious food for our neighbors-in-need.

The crowd filled the church, the music was spectacular, the food and wine was delicious and we raised nearly $9,000. It was a group effort, a community coming together. David Janeway, a jazz pianist, came up with the idea, just like he did in January 2021. And he reached out to his friends in the jazz community and asked them to perform for free.

Then, Vera Halpenny and Donna Assumma, co-directors of the pantry, got in touch with Renee Kashuba, chef and owner of MadeByRK catering in Tarrytown, and she provided all of the delicious food. We are forever grateful to Renee for helping us out.

Next, we asked local wine merchants for donations, and they generously responded. Thank you to Boutique Wines & Liquors and Rochambeau Wines & Liquors in Dobbs Ferry, and Ardsley’s Captain’s Wine & Spirits and Four J Wine & Liquor.

But to raise nearly $9,000, we needed an audience, people who bought tickets and even donated more than the $30 ticket price. Thanks to all of you who came to the concert or live streamed it, and showed your support. Each week, we provide food for about 450 people. Volunteers run the pantry, but we cannot buy food for our clients without the generous support of you, the donors.

Finally, thanks to all the musicians who brought us together: Tim Armacost, Dan Asher, Paul Beaudry, Dan Cray, Paul Francis, Matt Garrison, Mark Kaufman, David Kingsnorth, Rick Savage, Ron Vincent, Elliot Zigmund and singer Shirley Crabbe.

David Janeway welcomed our guests and introduced the musicians, kicking off an afternoon of community spirit.

Singer Shirley Crabbe at left, with Mark Kaufman on saxophone, Ron Vincent on drums and Paul Beaudry on bass.

Vera Halpenny and Donna Assumma, pantry co-directors, worked to make the benefit concert happen.

Acts of Kindness, Planned, not Random

Jessica is with Yarn Barn Buddies Acts of Kindness. She brought a gazillion colorful hats and scarves that the group had knitted or crocheted. Our clients chose their favorites on a very cold winter day.

Rise and shine, brightly: South Presbyterian Church, which sponsors and houses the pantry, and Community Nursery School did a food drive for the pantry, allowing us to offer our clients an array of breakfast foods. Shown here are church members Robin Larkins, at left, and Linda Jo Platt, who is also director of the nursery school.

Bundles of Joy NY donated diapers, school supplies and shampoo for our clients. This nonprofit provides mothers and babies with essentials, and has expanded to also serve children and teens.

Lastly, many thanks to the generous donations from Rob and Tracy Baron, Mark and Lena Silberman, and our friends at The Landing.

Together, we’re doing it. We’re helping our neighbors, and strengthening our community.

Kimberly Janeway wrote this month’s newsletter.