With the cooler weather settling in, and the holidays fast approaching, our social conscience may and should be jolted into realizing that there are many on the East End who require a bit of assistance, and not just during a celebratory time of year, but every day, year-round. For those who volunteer and work with a number of food pantries any time of year is always the right time of year to give.
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Volunteers at Springs Community Food Pantry. (Courtesy Photo: Dru Raley) |
Francis Ecker, who founded the Montauk Food Pantry 30 years ago, relays “The need has been growing over the years. We distribute the second Tuesday of the month, and easily 100 or more people show up.”
Ever eager to collect, store and distribute food, and reach out to those in need, along with soliciting support and awareness, local food pantries are unfortunately a necessary component in an area that most might view as the land of plenty.
Some food pantries, including East Hampton Food Pantry, have serviced well over 300 individuals and families – on a weekly basis – and the need continues to grow.
Ecker continued, “We are not open during the summertime, because we hope everyone in need can at least secure some sort of job to generate an income, so we are open November through April, however, that can put a strain on families and individuals that need assistance every day.”
According to Dru Raley, the Springs Community Food Pantry Coordinator, which is located in Springs, East Hampton, “The pantry is open every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for food distribution. Volunteers arrive in shifts from 1 p.m. to prepare for the day. The Springs Community Food Pantry was founded in 1994, and serves 80-120 families a week at the Springs Community Church.” Raley further relayed, “We are also supported by the Bridgehampton National Bank.”
We here at Hamptons.com would like to thank these organizations for the incredibly hard work they do, and to applaud the priceless kindness bestowed on those that may need a helping hand.
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Human Resources of the Hamptons hosts a Polar Bear Plunge at Coopers Beach to support its efforts. (Photo: Lisa Tamburini) |
Any small or large donation, whether a can of soup or a check, is always welcomed and appreciated by these wonderful organizations, so perhaps you’ll give some food for thought and reach out to an organization located near you and perhaps ensure that the number of those in need is reduced by at least one due to your kindness.
The East End consists of both the North and South Forks, so maybe we add a spoon, knife, plate and meal for an individual and/or family that would otherwise go without while the more fortunate are aplenty.
East Hampton (Springs) Food Pantry
The Springs Community Food Pantry
5 Old Stone Highway
631-324-4791
East Hampton Food Pantry
219-50 Accabonac Road
East Hampton, NY 11937
631-324-2300
easthamptonfoodpantry.org
Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry
Old Whalers’ Church
44 Union Street, Sag Harbor
631-725-2880
sagharborfoodpantry.com
Amber Waves Farm’s Farm to Food Pantry
P.O. Box 2623
Amagansett, NY 11930
www.amberwavesfarm.org
Bridgehampton Food Pantry
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church
24-63 Main Street
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
631-537-1527
Montauk Food Pantry
Mother Teresa Outreach Center Community Food Pantry
Montauk Highway (across from the school)
Montauk, NY 11954
631-668-2425
Human Resources of the Hamptons
168 Hill Street
Southampton, NY 11968
631-283-6415
www.hrhamptons.org
St. Rosalie Parish Outreach
31 East Montauk Highway
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
631-728-9249
North Fork Parish Outreach
69465 Main Road
Greenport, NY 11944
631-477-6607
