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Dear Members,
As we complete another year, I want to commend you for your hard work and compassion. We are handling twice as many clients as we did one year ago. Also, thank you to Linda Hunt for the great job with the Holiday Basket Program. It is not an easy task and it was made more difficult by the weather at Christmas. Thanks to everyone who went beyond the call of duty. Another of our projects has been to lengthen the time between visits to the food pantry without jeopardizing the food security of the client. Members have succeeded even if it was only a few days longer. To aid you, I have included a sample shopping list for a family of 4 for 3 weeks. This is only a suggestion and has to be customized for your client family. However, it does point out items that should be given sparingly. 2-3 BOXES OF CEREAL 2 CANS OF JUICE 6 CANNED FRUITS 1-2 PACKAGES OF CHEESE AND YOGURT 2 CANNED WHITE OR SWEET POTATOES 1-2 COLD CUTS 1 CAN CRANBERRY SAUCE 6-8 PACKAGES OF MEAT MEALS 6-10 CANNED VEGETABLES 3 LOAVES OF BREAD 4-6 CANNED SOUPS 1-2 PACKAGES OF MUFFINS, DONUTS 2 CANNED TOMATOES 1 DOZ. EGGS 2-4 CANNED BEANS PRODUCE AND FRUIT AS AVAILABLE 1 SALAD DRESSING 4 ROLLS TOILET PAPER 2-4 CANNED TUNA 1 ROLL OF PAPER TOWELS 2-3 JARS SPAGHETTI SAUCE 2 BARS OF HAND SOAP 2-4 BOXES MACARONI AND CHEESE 1 JAR PEANUT BUTTER 1 JAR JELLY 1 CAN EVAPORATED MILK 1 PACKAGE INSTANT MILK |
1 HALF GALLON LOW FAT MILK 1 CONTAINER OF COFFEE OR TEA 1 PACKAGE INSTANT MASHED POTATOES 1 BAG OF RICE 2-4 PACKAGES OF RICE OR NOODLE MIXES 1 CAKE MIX 1 MUFFIN MIX 2-3 PACKAGES COOKIES OR CRACKERS 4-6 BOXES OF PASTA 2 PACKAGES JELL-O OR PUDDING LESS FREQUENT ITEMS SUGAR PANCAKE SYRUP PANCAKE MIX OIL KETCHUP MUSTARD MAYONNAISE DEODORANT TOOTHPASTE SHAMPOO LAUNDRY DETERGENT DISH DETERGENT To add to your list of web sites and telephone numbers: www.safelinkwireless.com or 1-800-977-3768 Safelink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income eligible customers. There are no commitments, contracts or bills. New York State is one of the participating states. The client will receive a free phone and 68 minutes every month. Unused minutes can be rolled over. If the client is currently receiving Section 8, Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSI, etc., they may be eligible. Maximum income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Applications can be filled out online. Our next meeting will be May 13 at 7 PM at St. Columba Convent Meeting Room. Our last meeting before we break for the summer months will be June 10 after which we will have a short social gathering. I hope everyone will come out to the meetings. We need your input. Sincerely, Carole Grafer, President |
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Minutes April 8, 2009 Carole opened the meeting at 7:10 pm with a reading of the prayer that was placed in the Easter baskets that were distributed. The minutes were read by Barbara Yannaco, accepted by Kathy Palmer, and seconded by Linda Hunt. Linda introduced two new members: Terri Dessens and Bob Herberger. Welcome ! In attendance were: Betty Riggio, Fran Chesley, Linda Layton, Dave Palmer, Kathy Palmer, Kay Coyle, Laura Ryan, John Lucid, Jim Mullen, Ray Reilly, Bill and Carole Grafer, Jack Kiely, Joanne and Chuck Bunnell, Linda Hunt ,JoAnn DiSalvo, Barbara Yannaco and our two new members. Our HPNAP report for March: we served 103 households which included 143 children, 174 adults, and 30 elderly. This represents an increase of 29% over March 2008. We also distributed 128 Easter baskets. On March 13th we went to the food bank and bought 3886 pounds of food. After using a credit of $870.16 the cost to us was $2264.41. On April 8th Chuck and Joanne went to the food bank and returned with 2904 pounds of food. After using a credit of $436.68 this food cost us $2257.56. We have now used up all of our credits at the food bank. A thank you goes out to Linda, Carole, Nick, Kay, Laura, Betty, and Bucky who were on hand to help put this away. A special thank you goes out to Kevin, Jake, and Max Durland-Bucky and Laura’s son in law and grandchildren who were also there to help. Jim Luksis who previously donated Freihoffers products to us is now donating Odwalla juices. These are high end juices so many of our clients may not have heard of them. If you have a client that takes them please let them know that the product is good for 7-10 days past the expiration date. We received $4232.00 from the second collection that was held for us at Blessed Kateri. We would like to thank Boy Scout Troops 40 and 34, Curves of LaGrange, and Cub Scout Troop 127 for the food drives that they have held for us. Janet Kenny is going to help us try to maximize the use of the shelf space in the pantry. Since we are getting more and more people in need of our help and our resources are limited we will need to try to stretch what we have. Please use the food list in the pantry and try to have your clients come every 3 or 4 weeks. This does not have to be done all at once but can be done by going a few days longer each time. By doing this we hope to never have to say no to someone in need. |
Carole has finished and mailed the HPNAP grant for next year and is in the process of finishing the OSP grant. Carole ordered 200 half gallon milk coupons from Stewarts as well as 200 forever stamps for Jack. Clients on SS and SSI should be receiving a one time check for $250 from the federal government in May. If your client qualifies please let them know that this check will be sent automatically and no one will be in touch with them asking personal questions. They should not give out personal information as there are scams out there. The Amenia food pantry opened on March 20th so we now have a place to which we can direct people from that area who need help. St. Denis has a space problem for the donations that the parishioners bring in. Carole will meet with Father Norton on April 17th and they will try to work something out. Carole was unable to attend a meeting held by United Way in Poughkeepsie concerning food pantries. She has sent an e mail to try to get any pertinent information that was available at that meeting. Carole ended the meeting at 8:15 with a prayer. Submitted by Barbara Yannaco
SVDP Meeting Schedule May 13 June 10 September 9 Our meetings are open to all and we welcome new members. We meet in St. Columba Convent Meeting Room. LINDA'S CORNER
LINDA'S CORNER At Easter, we distributed 128 baskets. Any glitches were resolved and all clients went away happy. A sincere thank you to everyone who helped. Our request for school supplies will be in the bulletins starting July 15th. Please take the supplies as soon as they start to accumulate. As you know, we have to clear the hallway before school is back in session. In September, we also plan to provide children's coats, hats, gloves and scarves in the pantry. |