Reservoir Food Pantry Featured in the Regional Food Bank's 2021 Agency Spotlight.
In this issue of Feeding with Thought, the Regional Food Bank would like to recognize Reservoir Food Pantry in Ulster County. Reservoir Food Pantry stands out not only for its scenic location in proximity to the Ashokan Reservoir but for leading the way in building revival and retooling circumstances to serve the community.
Nestled in the mountains of Boiceville, the Reservoir Food Pantry serves the residents in the many towns that surround the Ashokan Reservoir. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they have suspended their geographic requirements and have opened their doors to welcome anyone in need. Their shoppers include disabled seniors, adult individuals, families with children, and health-challenged individuals.
In this issue of Feeding with Thought, the Regional Food Bank would like to recognize Reservoir Food Pantry in Ulster County. Reservoir Food Pantry stands out not only for its scenic location in proximity to the Ashokan Reservoir but for leading the way in building revival and retooling circumstances to serve the community.
Nestled in the mountains of Boiceville, the Reservoir Food Pantry serves the residents in the many towns that surround the Ashokan Reservoir. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they have suspended their geographic requirements and have opened their doors to welcome anyone in need. Their shoppers include disabled seniors, adult individuals, families with children, and health-challenged individuals.
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The Reservoir Food Pantry volunteers have embraced their roles as essential workers - setting up clear protocols that ensure a safe experience for all of their volunteers and shoppers. Their shed, greenhouse, and outdoor tables are filled to the brim with seasonal and often locally sourced produce, fish, meat, dairy, canned goods, and personal care items. They prioritize the sourcing and procuring of high-quality and nutritious food and work to customize our offerings to meet the specific needs of our shoppers. They accomplish this week after week with the loyal support of their amazing volunteer staff, food ordered from the Regional Food Bank, and generous donations of food and support from community businesses and local farms.
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The volunteers of The Reservoir Food Pantry strive to sustain and, more importantly, improve the quality of life for our community members in need in a sustained and reliable way. They care, they give and they all benefit. Reservoir Food Pantry’s impact on their community is twofold. They have found a new use for an old greenhouse to use as the site for their pantry. By repurposing a building that would otherwise be vacant to distribute food, they have doubled down on community impact. If Reservoir Food Pantry shows us anything, it shows us that even though our circumstances may not be ideal, through effort and ingenuity we can still push toward our goal of eliminating hunger in our communities, together.