"Because my children never went hungry," ... read the notation on an anonymous $900 money order received by the Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf. This is a striking example of the generous support the program receives from the local community, according to Monika Andrews, its president. Another remarkable example is a family of five, again anonymous. Family members bring numerous boxes of food nearly every week, help stock the shelves, and serve clients one night a week. They have been doing this for two-and-a-half years. "These are outstanding examples of the broad support the Food Shelf receives from area residents," Andrews says. "The entire community has been wonderfully generous to us." Postal Employees collect large amounts of non-perishable foods during their annual food drive. The Student Council at the Brockport High School collects contributions of non-perishable items in conjunction with its annual Junior/Senior Girl's Football Game. Scouting organizations, schools from kindergarten through college, service clubs, churches, the police officers' Stetson Club, and other community groups have food drives to benefit the local program or make cash donations. The annual Crop Walk raises money for hunger relief worldwide, one-quarter of which remains in Brockport. Surplus foods are received weekly from Ryan's Big M and Wegmans. For the past two years, various groups have contributed staples via the "CAN-imals" sculptures during the Sidewalk Sale. "Cash contributions from many individuals and organizations enable us to buy what is not donated. We want our folks to have a balanced diet and to have much needed hygiene products to ensure good health," Andrews said. The Food Shelf also needs a large amount of cash to purchase food vouchers that are distributed to clients at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, thus allowing them to buy items to suit their tastes and preferences. Organizers use such vouchers in lieu of food baskets. The Brockport Food Shelf began in 1972 under the sponsoring of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was incorporated as a joint project of Brockport area churches in 1992. Representatives and volunteers of the churches remain a major support for the program, but its governing board includes other community members as well. Support from outside Brockport comes from the Foodlink of Rochester, the conduit in this area for federal support and a source of guidance and grants. Eastman Kodak Company has awarded grants and provided skilled workers to update the physical facility which is still located in the Collins House, compliments of Nativity Church. "All in all," said Andrews, "We are pleased that most of our support comes from our very generous neighbors, that Brockport cares very well for its own. Thank you for everyone's past and future support." To contact the Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf, call 637-8169. |
