Thirty-three families, 215 individuals, 1,935 meals – these numbers reflect the quantity served by the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry (BCFP) for the three days prior to Thanksgiving.
The BCFP serves all residents living within the Baldwinsville Central School District on a confidential basis. The pantry assists an average of 90 to 100 families per month.
“Even though we appear to be a flourishing community, there are those in need of help for various reasons,” said Sally Dayger, the BCFP volunteer coordinator.
“We give food to people who can’t supply their own,” volunteer David Berube added.
Organized in 1978, the pantry relies entirely on donations from the community. To help keep the pantry stocked, Ken Divers has donated a handcrafted dollhouse to the organization. The dollhouse, which is fully furnished, will be awarded to the person with the highest bid in an ongoing silent auction. Bids will be accepted through Dec. 20.
“The money raised [from the silent auction] will exclusively benefit the food pantry, specifically for items that aren’t donated,” Dayger said, adding that in addition to canned and boxed foods, the pantry provides families with vouchers for bread, milk, hamburger, eggs and more. “We do quite a bit for the Baldwinsville community. We try to make sure no one goes hungry.”
Dayger also stressed that the volunteers are who make the pantry possible.
“They are the ones who make [the pantry] run because they are here everyday,” Dayger said.
The food pantry is located in the First United Methodist Church at the corner of West Genesee and Charlotte streets in Baldwinsville (use the main entrance off the parking lot behind the church); the pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make a food or monetary donation, drop it off during hours of operation or mail to Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry, 17 West Genesee St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027.