Food price inflation has a double impact on organizations, like the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf that serves the food insecure population. They receive increased requests to help people, and it costs them more to provide the food for them. According to Amy Peritsky, Chairperson, “The Food Shelf is currently serving 50% more clients than last year and 67% more than pre-pandemic levels.”
“We used to consider it a busy day when ten people called asking for help. In mid-October we received 18 calls on Monday and 27 calls on Tuesday,” said Molly Ives, a volunteer with the Food Shelf for 24 years. In late October calls were up to 24 on Monday and 37 on Tuesday, the need keeps increasing.
Initial projections for the next fiscal year indicated a $48,700 deficit for the Food Shelf to maintain all existing services for the current number of clients served monthly. As a result, the Food Shelf decided to cut all the remaining extras that were added to programs during the pandemic. Cuts also include some items that were traditionally provided, the purchase of all household and personal hygiene items has been eliminated, with the exception of toilet paper. Even after these cuts, a $31,800 deficit is projected for July 2023 through June 2024. “This might sound frightening; however, we have faced financial challenges before and our community has always come though. We need that to happen again,” noted Vice Chairperson, Polly McCubbin.
The Food Shelf has been able to leverage its membership in Foodlink to purchase food at significantly lower cost than through retail grocers. This is in addition to grants and free food items distributed through Federal Nutrition Programs. Amy Peritsky explained, “We can amplify the amount of food when we place orders through Foodlink. In August we purchased 13,900 pounds of food, and some miscellaneous items, at a cost of 60 cents per pound.”
Food drives have always played an important part in the community’s support. Last year 30% of all food distributed to clients came from direct community donations. Individuals, as well as school and church groups, sports teams and service organizations can help by collecting non-perishable foods and bringing them to the Food Shelf at 500 Maiden Lane. “Anyone can do a food drive, neighborhood food drives are great,” McCubbin said.
Currently, the most needed food items are chunky soups, canned fruit, cereals, canned chili, canned stew or any canned meat, and peanut butter. Donations are accepted at the Shelf, 500 Maiden Lane, Mondays 9 to 11 a.m.; Tuesdays 11a.m. to Noon; Wednesdays 5 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m. Other donation sites are Abbott’s Frozen Custard, 3208 Latta Road, daily 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and The Shops on West Ridge, 3200 West Ridge, Thursday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donation checks may be mailed to GEFS, 500 Maiden Lane, Rochester, N.Y., 14616.
The Food Shelf has been around for more than 45 years, and are confident, with the community’s help, they will be around for much longer. Thank you for helping your neighbors!
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