Springs Food Pantry has been making a positive and essential impact on the East End since 1992. Their mission has always been to alleviate hunger in the community, providing supplies to those in Springs who lack the necessary means for themselves and their families.
Director and Chairperson Holly Reichart-Wheaton spoke about the organization and what goes into maintaining this successful and significant operation on a day-to-day, weekly, and annual basis.
She explained, “We are a volunteer-run organization currently assisting over 330 families, approximately 1,300 individuals, each week. We provide pantry staples such as rice, beans, flour, cooking oil, ramen, tomato sauce, and spaghetti, along with fresh produce, fruits, dairy, and protein, tailored to the size of each family.”
The weekly distribution costs for Springs Food Pantry in 2024 were more than $20,000, which totaled more than $1,040,000 for the year. Holly says, “Although we file for and receive grants, they cover less than 5% of our annual budget, making private sector fundraising crucial.”
She went on to explain that the Pantry hosts three fundraising events annually: the Chili Chowdown in March, which focuses on community awareness, featuring taste samplings where 20 chefs donate their best chili or chowder, and compete for the People’s Choice trophy. The next fundraising event of the year is E.A.T. in the Hidden Gardens summer gala, which takes place in July, and this is their largest fundraiser; it generated approximately $110,000 in 2024. The third fundraising event of the year is the Chowdah Chowdown in the fall, which just took place this year in November and was another successful event for Springs Food Pantry, raising more than $15,000 with the help of the community. They crowned Chef and Springs Food Pantry volunteer Derek Freedman as the 2024 People’s Choice Award Winner.
Holly also mentioned that Springs Food Pantry Holiday Appeal card is distributed during Thanksgiving week, which aligns with advertising in various media outlets.
She discussed how they have always remained true to their mission and how the Pantry first came into conception. She says, “The Springs Food Pantry was founded in 1992 as a mission of the Springs Community Presbyterian Church by several women, including my mother, Betty Reichart, who recognized the need to support local families. Initially, food was collected door-to-door, but as the community grew, so did the need for organized assistance.” She went on to explain, “After moving back to Springs in 1998, I sent our first appeal letter and have been involved ever since. Although still a mission of the Springs Church, we are financially independent with our own 501(c)(3) designation.”
Inflation and the costs of living going up have caused the Pantry’s numbers of families served to rise significantly as families cannot depend solely on their income any longer. Holly says, “Before the pandemic, we served about 55 families weekly, roughly 155 individuals. Our numbers quadrupled overnight.”
The majority of residents living in Springs work in service trades, which means they earn barely above minimum wage. Holly says, “With rental costs for a two-bedroom house at $5,000 per month, many families struggle to provide for themselves. While we cannot supplement their income, we offer nutritious food to help feed their families.”
Surprisingly, East Hampton Town has one of the highest poverty rates on the East End. Holly explained the poverty level and broke down what families in need are going through and how Springs Food Pantry is able to help. She said, “The 2022 federal poverty level for a family of four is $27,750, but according to the Welfare to Work Commission of Suffolk County, true poverty on the East End is twice that amount. To cover basic needs, a family requires over three times the federal poverty limit, or $83,250. In Springs, 30% of the population earns below this threshold. In addition, the median family size on the East End is 3.1, but in Springs, it’s 4.1. The Springs Food Pantry has 33 families registered with household members totaling more than seven people.”
To make matters in the area more difficult, Springs School does not have a cafeteria, which means that there are no federally funded meals available at all. Holly said that in response to this, the Pantry launched their own Summer Lunch Program in 2023, which continues its success and impact in 2024.
Holly expressed how important community involvement is in whatever way individuals are able to show their support for the community and the mission of the Pantry. She concluded by saying, “Monetary donations enable us to purchase healthy, nutritious food for neighbors in need. As the winter approaches, we ask for your help. No one should go hungry.”
To get involved in Springs Food Pantry’s crucial mission and learn more, click here.
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