By Melissa Bykofsky and Jessica Otis
Although most food pantries work on a "no questions asked" policy - not keeping statistics on who uses their services - these organizations are witnessing a dramatic increase in the number of those in need. The services of food pantries are clearly no longer just for the unemployed. The cost of living on Long Island is on the rise, causing many to struggle just to make ends meet.
Some food pantries have seen a decline in donations over the past year. "A lot of donations are not coming in as quickly as they have in the past because of the economy," said Jean Annis, who runs a food pantry out of the garage of her East Meadow home, and publicizes it through the East Meadow Senior Center. "Many who used to donate now can't afford [these goods] themselves."
The number of families using the services of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Rockville Centre has tripled over the past three years, according to the organization. "Not everyone that comes is unemployed," said Annie O'Donohoe, food pantry director. "Working families now need to use our services to make ends meet."
Many middle-class families across Nassau County can no longer afford the essentials to get through a week. "The middle class is starting to go through foreclosures, losing their jobs and struggling to pay the price of gas," said Chana Pfeifer of the JCC of the Greater Five Towns Kosher Food Pantry. "It is very frightening,"
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream is one of many food pantries that see firsthand how the economy is affecting local families. "There is definitely an increase in the middle-class families," said Sister Margie Kelly. "People need food for longer periods of time, and it is harder for them to get out of their situations."
Despite the hard times, pantries continue to see numerous volunteers donating their time to help collect, organize and distribute food. "We have a lot of volunteers that help out," said Kelly. "Whenever you have a food pantry, you have to have procedures and plans in place to keep quality control. We have to constantly have people involved in sorting and shelving food, cleaning and inspecting."
The CurŽ of Ars organization in Merrick agrees that having dedicated volunteers is crucial to its operations. "We are very fortunate because we have some very committed parishioners that do donate regularly," said Lisa Hudson, director of the food pantry outreach program.
Our Lady of Peace Parish Social Ministry in Lynbrook also has seen a slight drop in donations, although parishioners are doing all they can to help. "We have a food bin at the side door of the church," said Sister Barbara Faber. "Many of [those who donate] are struggling, too; even people that are doing OK are finding it hard to pay bills. That will affect the amount of donations we receive."
Pantries are always in need of basic food items. Cynthia Sussage of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, which has 19 soup kitchens across Long Island, including one in Long Beach, explained how the network distributes everything anyone would use in a day. "Many of our guests are in need of the basics - food, clothing, toiletry items, toothpaste, diapers, high-end items such as formula," Sussage said. People may also need such things as Metro cards, because they may no longer be able to commute to work.
The Community Presbyterian Church of Malverne works with the Long Island Council of Churches to provide needed items to local families and those across Long Island. The church recently held its third annual neighborhood food drive, and accepted donations from congregants and their friends in Malverne, West Hempstead, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream and Lynbrook.
"We are incredibly grateful to the community for how much they supported the event," said the Rev. Fritz Nelson, the church's pastor. "We expected less donations this year because of the economy, but we got more. We collected enough food to fill both a minivan and a pickup truck completely to overflowing." Several thousand dollars' worth of food was collected, Nelson said.
Food pantries also get help from the school districts in their communities. "We do have the high school Key Club and Interact Club help collect donations," said Bob Transom of the Oceanside Community Service Center. "A lot of children and adults help out."
A number of organizations work with the pantries to help local families in need. One, the Gateway Youth Outreach of Elmont, in concert with the New York State Department of Health, provides healthy snacks to children who attend after-school programs. More than 800 children seek the benefits the GYO has to offer.
"More families are looking for our after-school program," said GYO's executive director, Pat Boyle. "More parents are working two jobs just to make ends meet. They need to have a place that their children can be safe after school."
An increase in the need for food has created added stress on local food pantries, food banks and their contributors. For more information on how to help these organizations, contact your local food pantry.
Comments about this story? Mrusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
