Like many of you, I knew that the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry existed, and like many of you, my family contributed both food items and money over the years. I was happy to help, but I never really gave the food pantry, the people involved with it, or the people it served much serious thought.
That changed when the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry stepped up to help the asylum seekers who had been brought to Ardsley. After the pantry’s usual Wednesday morning distribution serving members of our community, the volunteers packed bags of food for the asylum seekers staying at the Ardsley Acres Motel. These individuals were being given substandard microwavable food — no fresh fruits or vegetables. The food pantry stepped in and, every week, delivered bags of healthy, nutritious food to the motel.
It was then that I truly learned about the amazing work of the food pantry. I met the incredible group of volunteers who spend hours of their own time providing food for community members in need. I learned more about the level of food insecurity in our community and what it takes to coordinate the distribution of food to those experiencing it. I also came to understand that the food pantry is an organization built on compassion and dedication. The care and effort that the volunteers put into their work is admirable, and it makes a real difference in the lives of others every week. Their kindness reaches far beyond providing food — it offers comfort, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
The work of the pantry may seem like a seamless operation, but it takes hundreds of hours of coordination and scheduling each week to ensure there is enough food for our clients, volunteers to sort donations, people to set up tables, teams to fill bags for delivery, volunteers to distribute the food, and others to clean up afterward.
Two amazing people manage the coordination of this operation: Co-Directors Donna Assumma and Vera Halpenny. Donna and Vera devote countless hours to ensuring that the Wednesday morning food distribution is not only seamless but also a warm and welcoming experience. In addition to coordinating the all-volunteer team, they are involved in fundraising, grant writing, and serving as liaisons to Feeding Westchester. They also work closely with community organizations and youth groups interested in supporting the pantry. Under their dedicated leadership, they have created an organization that genuinely cares for both its clients and its volunteers. They are truly inspiring individuals whose commitment to serving the community reflects generosity, kindness, and selflessness.
Along with Donna and Vera there are so many other volunteers. Thank you: Suzy, Sharon, Kristy, Andrew, Les, Bijal, Bill, Gene, Jean, Ellen, Fran, Ken, John, Mark, Neil, Ed, Mary, MaryAnne, Ruth, Enzina, Judy, Peter, Barney, Roubi, Robin, Marg, Molly, Frank, and Eric. Each one of these individuals is an integral part of the food pantry.
Additionally, there are so many faith-based organizations, community groups, youth groups and individuals who donate time, money and food. This week Alex Kulpa from the Alcott School dropped off bags of much needed cans of tuna and other items. Also, supporting the food pantry this week were Seamus Fitzpatrick and Liam Pyle. They held a garage sale for the benefit of the pantry. Thank you to Alex and the students at the Alcott School and Seamus and Liam for your continued support.
It is my honor to have become a part of this amazing organization and to work with so many incredible people.
Nancy Kaboolian
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 