Pantry helps as need grows

Dingmans Ferry — “We provide food and financial help to over 750 needy families a year,” said Peg Hoover, director of the Food Pantry for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for the past two years. The Holy Trinity Food Pantry is the only food pantry in Pike County that is open five days a week. Other churches and agencies that provide needed food and financial aid are open once a week or as little as once a month. The pantry has been in operation for 19 years and Hoover is the third director to be in charge. She has had a long career doing social service work and although retired she continues to do what she knows best. “I do this work because it makes me feel good to be able to help others. It’s extremely rewarding. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do,” said Hoover. The food program’s clients range from those individuals and families that are down on their luck for a short period of time due to the loss of jobs, to low income families that continuously need help and senior citizens with a low fixed income that are always in need of additional food to sustain themselves. “Most of our clients come in just once a month. Some just come in for a few months and then manage to get themselves back on their feet. That’s a good thing when I see clients not returning because I know they are finding a way to make ends meet,” said Hoover. In the past year Hoover has seen a 30 percent rise in the number of people in need of assistance. She says the economy is hurting everyone. Food is the primary need of those seeking assistance. With the generous contributions of parishioners and local area businesses, they are also able to help people with money problems. Some need help to pay their electric bills, winter heating expenses and even their rent or mortgages. “There are a surprising number of families that have moved from the New York City area and expected to find jobs locally. They had no idea employment possibilities in Pike County are slim and the pay rate is considerably less than they expected,” stated Hoover. The food pantry under the direction of Hoover has nine regular volunteers who work once a week for a few hours. She also calls on others for extra help when needed. “We get a United Way grant every year which we use to purchase frozen food and perishables like meats, frozen vegetables and juices. We get these items from Prime Time Meats who gives us a discount. We also get meat from Hunters for the Harvest who donate venison, as some of our clients love deer meat,” said Hoover. “We do get some food subsidies from the government. We never know what we’ll get; it just arrives.” Hoover said she is now seeing professionals and those that used to have no trouble supporting themselves. More and more people are losing their jobs and having to seek help from organizations that they used to support financially. Although the food pantry is primarily for Pike County residents, people from as far away as Port Jervis come to Holy Trinity in need of help. It cannot help those people with any funds or provisions the government has supplied that are strictly for Pike County residents. Volunteers fill up grocery bags with everyday staples such as peanut butter and jelly, soups, cereals and even animal food as some clients have pets. I’ve just been helping out for a few weeks. I do it because I just get a good feeling. It is very rewarding,” said Caroline Heiselman. “I get satisfaction helping others. I bring my grandchildren and teach them how important it is to give. The oldest is thirteen and the youngest is eight years old,” reported Ellen Polyi. “I’ve been working here for about three years and when Peg calls I come. I graduated college ... and now I’m retired, packing groceries. When I was working and raising my family I had no time, but now I have the time to help others,” said Joyce Urban. Hoover showed the Courier the elevator which is used to bring the food carts filled with groceries from the lower level of the church up to her office on the first floor. From Hoover’s office the bags of groceries are given to clients who have scheduled a pick up time. The church was a hub of activity with preschool kids learning and playing in some of the classrooms. There were also a good number of parents marching in and out taking care of whatever brought them to Holy Trinity on this day. The interview ended as Hoover had to get back to work at hand. On a parting note Hoover said they are always in need of food items and monetary donations to keep the food pantry open and functioning. For more information on the Holy Trinity Food Pantry or to find out how to help, give Peg Hoover a call at 570-828-7411. Recently at the Pantry During the week of Thanksgiving the pantry provides all the fixings from the turkey to the vegetables for clients who then are able to cook a family dinner at home. They call this “A Day of Giving.” Tthe Dingmans Ferry Bridge Company held a food drive which benefited the food pantry. People using the bridge were encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item. Hoover said it was so successful, the food collected filled one of the church’s Sunday School rooms. There were even monetary donations which totaled $169.