What could be Sharon Springs’ best-kept secret needs your help.
With demand up and donations down, shelves at the Sharon Springs Community Food Pantry are nearly bare.
While the food pantry has been housed at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church for about the last 60 years, it’s not a UMC effort, but rather a community one, volunteers said Friday, gathering to push their cause the day after the biggest eating holiday of the year.
One of them, Jenessa Cummings, is working to get 501C3 non-profit status for the pantry, something that would allow them to take advantage of donations from businesses and even tap into the Northeast Regional Food Bank in Albany.
Stewart’s Shops has long been generous with coupons for milk and eggs, said Pauline Brown, who’s volunteered as coordinator of the food pantry since 2012, but otherwise, they’re on their own.
The pantry is located at the UMC, across from the school, and open for food donations and shopping Thursdays from 9-10:30am and 5-6:30pm.
Food can also be left in the church’s back entryway and emergency appointments are available.
Because the pantry is open Thursdays-only and because they don’t have a permanent sign–something they’re working on–the volunteers think many–both would-be shoppers and donors–don’t even know it’s there.
“It’s important to get the word out, to let people know we’re here,” said Mary Winnie, another longtime volunteer.
“We want people to use us, but we also really donations and we can always use more volunteers.”
Donations are especially critical now, said Robin Ressler, who’s also pastor of the UMC.
Rising prices not only mean people are struggling, but also that they might not be able to donate like they have in the past, she said.
Donations don’t have to be huge, Ms. Winnie said; a few cans of beans, a box of pasta and sauce… “Sometimes, that’s all someone’s looking for” she said.
“Something to get them to their next paycheck.”
Some of the other items they’re especially in need of now: Soups, canned fruit, vegetables and meat (like tuna, ham, and chicken), pasta, peanut butter, jelly, instant potatoes, cereal, toilet paper, and baking items.
In addition to seeking non-profit status, the Community Food Pantry is frequently thinking outside the box.
A Super Bowl Cereal Bowl last year brought in a lot of cereal donations because people thought it was fun, Ms. Winnie said; she’s also working on the idea of a turkey trot for next November.
Volunteers are also looking for ways to partner with SSCS, maybe through the FFA or FBLA or even just taking donations of canned goods at some of the upcoming Christmas concerts.
There’s also the first-ever Christmas Challenge, which is asking shoppers to put together a complete meal, gather the items in a decorated box or basket or even an inexpensive grocery store tote, and include a recipe if they wish, just in time for the holidays.
Individual items to fill out the boxes are also welcome.
The Christmas Challenge boxes will be available for those in need to take home on Thursday, December 19.
Checks for donations can be made out to Sharon Springs Community Food Pantry and sent ? Pauline Brown, PO Box 74, Sharon Springs, NY 13459.
There is a refrigerator at the food pantry for perishable items and a small, satellite pantry in the lobby of the Sharon Springs Library, where there’s also a mini-fridge.
There’s also a Facebook page, Community Food Pantry–Sharon Springs, or call (518) 284-2687 for more information.