This Winter in the Pantry
January, 2015, is turning out to be such a marvelous time in the pantry! I just couldn’t let it go by without thanking you for all the support and contributions you made as we began our project.
On September 9, 2013, as we began work to make the Reservoir Food Pantry a reality, none of us (Bonnie, Sean, Prasida, and I) had a clue about the real needs of people in the area. Working in the pantry this month I’m coming to realize existentially what is really happening there.
Take our monthly delivery day for example. January 12th was dismal. Nobody in his/her right mind would venture out of either house or home if it weren’t absolutely necessary. Both volunteers and shoppers who could get out of their homes proved how valuable this little pantry in a shed has become.
Volunteers who could get out of their houses drove on icy roads to Kingston to pick up our monthly food shipment. We loaded the food onto 4 vehicles, drove it to the pantry, unloaded it and shelved it.
Meanwhile, Prasida and Francine drove to Latham and returned with 1300 pounds of beautiful produce.
All this work was done during an icy rain, in unheated buildings, and on snow covered ground.
That was one level of motivation. And, why not? After all, we’re the volunteers…that’s what we’re expected to do.
Shoppers came to the pantry as if the sun were out, the grounds were dry, and the breezes warm. They stood in line outside the pantry and patiently, cheerfully waited for their turn to shop in the tiny little shed to get badly needed food for their households/families.
Oh me of little faith. Shame on me. Until delivery day I really didn’t know how the people in the reservoir area really felt about our pantry.
Well…as people tell me all the time “Now I know”.
I walk more confidently now.
Hunger as we know it in our country is both infuriating and shameful. To fight this scourge…
We need schools that work.
We need communities that work.
We need support systems which offer people caught in poverty a fair chance to succeed.
Although safety nets in our society are almost gone, food pantries are flourishing in communities all over America. Food pantries cannot fight poverty. They can only alleviate hunger…a vitally important task in our community.
We looked everywhere along Route 28 for a home for the Reservoir Food Pantry. We finally created a jewel behind Robert’s Auction.
So, to everyone in the area…thank you. With your support, the Reservoir Food Pantry is a success today. We could never have done it without you.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
