During their 35th Annual Community Awards ceremony, The Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce presented the Thomas E. Schommer Spirit of the Chamber Award to Amy Peritsky, in recognition of her service to the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf and Clothing Closet (GEFS&CC).
“This year, at its 35th Annual Community Awards sponsored by M&T Bank, the Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce bestowed seven awards to 10 honorees, including Amy Peritsky, the recipient of the 2022 Thomas E. Schommer Spirit of the Chamber Award. Thomas Schommer was pivotal to the founding of the Greece Chamber of Commerce over 35 years ago. His vision and determination galvanized others and, through the creation of the Chamber, made a lasting and significant impact on the town of Greece and the greater Rochester region. The Thomas E. Schommer Award is given to an organization or individual who exemplifies community service and community impact. We feel that Amy Peritsky is very deserving of this award. The longtime leader of Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf, she has given tirelessly of herself to those in need in our community over many years, leading the many volunteers at the Food Shelf with modesty and humility. She has made, and continues to make, an enormous difference – every day. The Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce, is honored to recognize Amy Peritsky with the 2022 Thomas E. Schommer Spirit of the Chamber Award,” said Greece Regional Chamber President/CEO Sarah Lentini.
“I am very honored to be recognized by the Chamber with this award. It was quite a surprise when Sarah (Lentini) called me with the news,” Amy said. Amy began her service with GEFS&CC in 2000, volunteering with the Greece Clothing Closet. In 2016 she became a GEFS&CC Board Member, and since 2017, she has served as the Board Chairperson. Amy is responsible for the administration of board meetings, preparing agendas and overseeing the many responsibilities of GEFS&CC.
Amy’s service is not limited to her administrative duties, she also participates in the day-to-day activities at the food shelf. She volunteers on Mondays and Fridays taking in donations, monitors the email and phone lines, and updates the GEFS&CC Facebook page, among many other duties. Amy says monitoring the phone lines gives her perspective on the great need for food within the community. “Just recently I spoke with grandparents that were given custody of their grandchildren. They were very apologetic, they had never requested aid before, and found that they just couldn’t make ends meet. They needed help feeding their grandchildren. We also received a call from a Ukrainian refugee that was in desperate need of help for her family. We provide emergency food and clothing on a temporary basis, we also help people with connecting to additional aid, through other organizations within the community.”
The GEFS&CC is currently experiencing a surge in the need for food. “We are now serving as many people as we were during the height of COVID, in December 2020. With the high cost of food, many people are finding difficulty in meeting monthly bills. Our shelves are very low,” Amy said. Food donations are accepted Mondays 9-11AM, Tuesdays 11AM-Noon, Wednesdays 5-6PM and Saturdays 10-11AM. They are also accepting donations of fresh fruits and vegetables from home gardens. GEFS&CC is located at 500 Maiden Lane, Greece.
GEFS&CC works with FoodLink, and relies on the generosity of the Greece community to keep their shelves stocked. “Our Greece community is extremely generous. Many organizations hold food drives within their group to help keep our shelves stocked. Recently Lakeview Community Church provided us with 1,668 jars of pasta sauce as part of their August Challenge. For us, that is several months worth of sauce. Many of the area churches are very generous,” she said.
Amy keeps the GEFS&CC’s Facebook page updated with news, and the most urgent needs of food items to keep the shelves stocked, and the community fed. Currently they are in need of Chunky soup, canned fruits, of all kinds, canned chili and mashed potato flakes, regular size portions. Visit www.facebook.com/greecefoodshelf for more information.
GEFS&CC has 100 volunteers, with about 25 volunteers that are most active. There are many volunteer opportunities available for those who would like to help. Opportunities include phone screenings and call backs, stocking shelves, packing boxes, and delivering groceries.
Individuals can help by organizing and collecting food through small food drives within their neighborhood, school, and family. It is popular right now for people to indicate that, in lieu of gifts, donations can be sent to the GEFS&CC. Gifts can also be made in memory of a loved one.
The GEFS&CC’s Thanksgiving Baskets program is underway. Again this year, as in the past two years, gift cards to ALDI will be provided to families to purchase their own food for their Thanksgiving Dinner. “We found that this method works well for our clients. What is considered traditional Thanksgiving Dinner food varies from family to family. This way, a family can choose their own food, according to their traditions,” Amy said.
All monetary gifts can be sent to GEFS&CC, 500 Maiden Lane, Greece, New York 14616. Indicate on the envelope if you would like the money to go to a specific need.
GEFS&CC is a community supported emergency food pantry and clothing closet serving residents of Greece and Charlotte. They are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency and an equal opportunity provider. If you are in need of food assistance, call 585-683-9674, a GEFS&CC representative will call you back to discuss your food requirements.
For more information on GEFS&CC visit www.facebook.com/greecefoodshelf
Photos by Karen Fien
