2006 FOOD PANTRY REPORT

June was the only month in 2006 that our church staffed the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry.  As it usually is, June was a quiet month giving us time to organize shelves and review records and, of course, we continued to serve clients.

During 2006, the Pantry served 12, 510 meals to 409 families made up of 1,290 individuals .  At Thanksgiving we gave out 43 turkey dinners with all the trimmings.

This year we retained some of our donations at the request of the Deacons to help some church families.  This in no way deprived the Pantry of needed food.  Each year from November through spring, the Pantry is overwhelmed with donations.  Mid-summer when our supplies dwindle down, request to members of our church and others brings a generous response.  Smithtown is a fairly affluent area, but there are people who need help, some more than others.  It is our philosophy to recognize that they are our friends, neighbors, family and acquaintances, and to respond generously and with sympathy.

As time goes on, our most loyal volunteers are getting older and need the help of younger members of the church.  There are days when working in the Food Pantry can be dreadfully dull and other days can be overwhelmingly busy.  Most clients are nice, but some can be angry.  Each experience can be a learning one, making it easier each time to serve our clients professionally.

In March 2007, the Pantry will have been serving the people of Smithtown for 23 years.

Liz Ewing
Mary Lou Dorsett