Did you know that 1 in 6 American children are food insecure and don’t know where their next meal is coming from? Summer meals and school meals are a great help, but food banks are a critical part of ensuring families have access to food at home – including fresh milk.
American Dairy Association North East works with retailers, food banks, and dairy farmers to ensure that families in need have access to fresh milk through their local food banks. Their Fill a Glass With Hope® program was initiated in 2015 in Pennsylvania and has since expanded throughout the region.
During National Dairy Month in June, shoppers at participating stores are encouraged to donate at checkout to support Fill a Glass With Hope. Gates Big M joined the initiative, and its customers answered the call, donating a total of $2,365. All of the money raised was donated to St. Theodore’s Food Cupboard in July, allowing them to purchase milk and other dairy products for local families.
Located at 168 Spencerport Road in Gates, St. Theodore’s Food Cupboard has been in operation for over 30 years and is totally staffed by volunteers. It is regulated by Foodlink and only allowed to serve residents in the 14606 and 14624 zip codes. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., providing residents in need with a four- or five-day supply of food, including staples, frozen meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables, based on availability.
The bulk of the food St. Theodore’s distributes comes from Foodlink. The remainder comes from weekly donations from its parishioners, donations from other area churches, and from various school and community food drives. Gates Big M also helps out with a collection box inside the store.
“If it weren’t for the community support, we wouldn’t be able to keep our shelves stocked,” said Paul Bookmiller, who runs the Food Cupboard.
Residents in need of assistance or who would like to help can call 585-429-5360.
