Ossining Food Pantry Summer 2019 Update
More than 30 Years of Service to the Community

The Ossining Food Pantry is now in our 31st year of service to the community. The need for supplemental food continues to be great as many of our neighbors have trouble making ends meet. Each week, over 100 volunteers donate their time so that those in need may have food on their tables. Our volunteers are dedicated and passionate about the need to alleviate the issue of hunger in this area. Similarly, our loyal donors continue to support us year in and year out. Their financial contributions go toward the purchase of food and enable us to keep the doors open. The Ossining Food Pantry is truly a community effort with hundreds of people coming together to help our neighbors in need.
Thank you for being a part of the Ossining Food Pantry's efforts!
Today we highlight a group of volunteers whose actions saved a life . Many of the volunteers have taken classes to become certified in the administration of CPR and the Food Pantry has a plan in place so those on duty may react effectively should one of our clients or volunteers experience a medical emergency. Last year, a long-time volunteer experienced a sudden heart episode during the Thursday evening food distribution at Trinity Church. A core team of volunteers took necessary action calling 911, performing CPR and using the AED until the police and ambulance arrived. We are thrilled to report that our volunteer is now in fine health and still volunteering with the Food Pantry.

In May, 2019, the Westchester Regional EMS Council awarded this group of Food Pantry volunteers the Civilian EMS Service Award. The award is given to civilians who displayed "effective and appropriate medical treatment that resulted in the saving of a life."

We are so very proud of our volunteers and of their selfless actions during an emergency medical situation.

Photo L to R: Carl Gonsalves, Pete Snyder, Chris Cafarelli, Martin B. Engelhardt, Jr., John Kearns and Joon Kang (not pictured)
Trinity Church Repairs Complete!
Thursday evenings and Friday mornings, food is distributed out of the Trinity Church parish hall in downtown Ossining. As many of you know, we were required to suspend our food distribution for a few weeks this spring as Trinity Church was undergoing much needed repairs and renovations. During this time, our volunteers took all possible steps to make sure the clients understood alternative sources of food support. We are thrilled to be open again and serving the community.

Photo: Trinity Church, 7 South Highland Ave, Ossining where food distribution is provided on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings.
Thank you Donors!
In May, we mailed our "Spring Appeal" requesting donations from the community. We are very thankful to the individuals and community organizations who generously responded with donations. Virtually all of the donated funds are used to purchase food either from ShopRite or from Feeding Westchester (formerly the Food Bank for Westchester.) THANK YOU for your generosity. It is because of people like you that we are able to continue to serve the community.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - USPS
The annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers occurred on May 11. The Ossining post office picked up donated non-perishable food items left near residential mailboxes. Letter Carriers such as Keyshawn Pressley (pictured right) delivered the donated food items to the Ossining Food Pantry for distribution to our clients.
We thank everyone who donated food and we thank the Ossining Post Office for once again participating in this important community event.

Photo: Keyshawn Pressley delivering donations from USPS Ossining Letter Carriers May, 2019
High School Juniors Hold Food Drive
Food Drive 4-2019
Recently, a group of high school juniors from the LIFE School at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua conducted a food drive to benefit the Ossining Food Pantry. The food drive was also a competition among various student teams to see who would collect the most food items. Decorated collection bins were placed in the school's general community room with students, their families, teachers and advisers donating food. The winning team is pictured at right. In total, the food drive collected over 600 items of non-perishable food for Ossining Food Pantry clients.

What a great idea to have a competition! Thank you to the Chappaqua students and faculty of Horace Greeley High School!

Photo L to R: Gabi Goldenberg, Thomas Wright, Katie Petrillo, Lily Restivo delivering donated food to the Ossining Food Pantry
Summer Reading to Kids
There are many books available to help children understand the issue of food insecurity and hunger. Please consider reading an age appropriate book about hunger to your children this summer. There are many wonderful books available through our public libraries. It's never too early to teach the children about this issue. You may be helping to form the next generation of Ossining Food Pantry volunteers!
Fresh and Healthy Eating
While the Ossining Food Pantry is primarily a non-perishable food pantry, we do our best to supplement the food we distribute with fresh, healthy alternatives. From now until the end of the year, we will be providing clients with coupons for use at the Ossining Farmers' Market. Fresh vegetables are also provided by Maryknoll, Mariandale, Second Chance Foods as well as by residents with personal gardens. Our clients love the fresh vegetables and we are pleased to provide a fresh, healthy supplement to canned/boxed staples.
How You Can Help
Financial Donations
The majority of financial donations are used for the purchase of food. You may be assured that the Food Pantry's Purchasing team works to deliver maximum value from each dollar spent with Feeding Westchester and ShopRite.

Organize a Food Drive
Work with your neighborhood, school or community organization to organize a food drive for non-perishable, non-expired food items.

Volunteer
Try us, you'll like us! During the summer months vacations often result in a volunteer shortage. There are a variety of roles at the Food Pantry. Maybe one of them is right for you!

 If you would like to become involved with a food drive, donate food or would like more information on volunteer roles, please call the Food Pantry at 914-762-5510. A volunteer will return the call and explain our non-perishable food needs as well as volunteer opportunities
We'd Like to Hear from You!
Thanks to those of you who wrote and called with questions and suggestions.

Comments? Suggestions? Please email your ideas to OssFoodPan@gmail.com  and note NEWSLETTER in the subject line. 

Thank You! 
Ossining Food Pantry, PO Box 869, Ossining, NY 10562 
 Email:  OssFoodPan@gmail.com | www.OssiningFoodPantry.org |914-762-5510)