SFP Volunteer Update – October / November, 2022
“We rise by lifting others.”
Hi, everyone. It’s been a little while since I have written an update. Apologizes for that. As many of you know, we have been quite busy, seeing a steady increase in client families and needs. We are also beginning to prepare for the holiday season – November is our busiest month of the year.
First things first. We could NOT fulfill our mission “To work together as a community to provide supplemental, nutritionally balanced food to those in need while respecting the dignity of each person we serve” without YOU. Volunteers provide kindness, help and a welcoming atmosphere for our families. For that I am forever grateful.
Volunteer opportunities
Please click here to view our sign-ups for November. You will see there are some additional slots to adjust for the increase in families who are coming in.
A look at the numbers
I would like to share with you updates on the number of families we are seeing from our community. I know I frequently compare pre-COVID / COVID / current. Here is a chart which unfortunately demonstrates how the increase continues to grow year by year and month by month.
How can you help?
- Volunteer. We typically have 20+ volunteer slots on distribution days (6 times per month) and another 14 for deliveries (2 times per month). I would like to thank 2 volunteers, Dan Richter and Dan Gordon, who have started to pick up additional food twice a month for us. We have also begun to utilize TOUCH’s food recovery program to supplement our needs.
- Spread the word. We see more and more families every time we are open. The word spreads about us and those in need are coming. We want to help as many as we can. Please remember, our distribution area includes Suffern, Hillburn, Sloatsburg and Tuxedo. If you know someone in need, please reach out so we can help.
- Donate. Coming soon will be virtual coin jars in area businesses or you can always donate online. We also accept packaged, unexpired food donations. Have a free turkey, chicken or ham? We will take it. We are building up a reserve so that we can give a generous amount of meat along with milk and eggs for the holidays.
- Have an idea? Got an idea on how we can fundraise or expand our support system? Please let us know.
Volunteers go above and beyond
Lastly, I would like to send a special thank you and acknowledgement to our delivery team and driver from Clancy Relocation. We had an unexpected issue on October 20th picking up 13,000 pounds of food. Many of those who volunteered helped to prep our site, then returned several hours later to unload due to a delay. This dedication and willingness to give their personal time was truly amazing.
To top it off, Kevin O’Hara, Rob Ayres, Alan Berman and Rob Harkin drove to Goshen to help load the moving truck and returned to help unload.
Big thanks to this delivery team: Mary Illesca, Lyn Pickford, Laura O’Hara, Alan Berman, Beth Reichgott, Eli Rosario, Carlyn Capella, Monica Baez, Rob Ayres, Richard Flaherty and Rob Harkin.
We also welcomed the Rockland County Department of Health this month who administered a total of 82 vaccine shots of flu, COVID and COVID boosters. We hope to have them back annually to provide vaccination access for our client families and volunteers.
Once again, thank you for your time and ongoing support.
Wishing you a wonderful day.
Respectfully yours,
Joyce