Food is the most basic necessity, and feeding those in need is a most basic measure of every community.

The Pantry, presently located in the United Methodist Church at 300 Main Street in Mt. Kisco, distributes 12 meals of grocery staples and fresh produce per week, per person, to approximately 2,000 people in approximately 700 households who pick-up their food at The Pantry, and delivers to another 60 households, for a total current distribution of approximately 1,000,000 pounds of food and 1,300,000 meal per annum - making it the largest weekly-choice food pantry serving the 21 towns in northern Westchester!

The Pantry’s Executive Director, Trina Ward Fontaine, says, “Our mission is to provide food to those in need in a welcoming and judgement-free environment. We’ve just rebranded as ‘The Pantry’, shortening the old ‘Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry’ to reflect the wider community that we serve. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and rely on a broad range of community partners to fulfill our mission, including local businesses, civic organizations, community organizations, and congregations.

“Anyone can come to The Pantry,” Trina continues. “All we do is require evidence that the family lives in a northern Westchester community without a weekly choice pantry, and proof of the number and age of individuals in the household. A majority of our clients live in Mt. Kisco, but our reach is growing. A majority are from the working poor, but we’re seeing a more and more diverse group, including a growing number of what’s called ‘ALICE’ families - who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed, where income is less than approximately $124,000 for a household of 4 people. There are pockets of hunger and food insecurity in every town in northern Westchester. It may come as a surprise, but we’re helping people who work at community health organizations, and municipal employees, and teachers, who just can’t make ends meet without some assistance from The Pantry.”

“The way food is distributed in America,” Trina continues, “...the national food bank, called Feeding America, distributes food at the state, county and local level to food banks, such as Feeding Westchester - which is our primary source of food. Then food pantries like us directly distribute to people in need in our community. Feeding Westchester both gives us food and sells us food at a greatly reduced rate, accounting for a little more than half of all the food we’re distributing. We’re fortunate enough to also have a bunch of local farms and markets who donate food, including notably Hilltop Hanover Farm, Buxton Farms, Dig Farm through the relationship we have the Bedford Presbyterian Church, Rochambeau Farms, DeCicco’s, and the Chappaqua and Mt. Kisco Farmers Markets. And then we buy the rest of what we need, including a lot of milk and fresh fruits and vegetables, from third party purveyors and at reduced rates.”

“Right now we’re operating on a budget of just under $1.5million per year” Trina says. “Much of that goes to pay for the twelve percent of our food that’s not donated to us, and the rest goes to cover our operational budget, including rent, utilities and a small staff.”

“We simply could not be doing what we’re doing without the loyal support of donors in the community,” Trina emphasizes. “The prognosis for Federal funding is not good, but if we can maintain our current balance of free, subsidized, and purchased food, we should be able to leverage donated dollars such that every $1,000 in additional contributions will feed another family of four for a year.”

“Nor could we be doing what we’re doing without our cadre of volunteers,” Trina acknowledges. “We had about 675 volunteers donate approximately 12,500 hours to our operations last year, with about one-third involved on a regular ongoing basis, and about 20 who ought to be paid for their dedicated service. We have volunteers of all ages and persuasions, and a steady supply of high schoolers - many of whom start out looking to simply put community service on their resume and, once involved with The Pantry, continue to volunteer.”

Mary Ellen D’Andrea, who is the zealous Development and Communications Manager for The Pantry, proclaims, “What really makes The Pantry stand out is how warm and welcoming it is. …The way we run the weekly distribution to feel as much like a typical trip to the grocery store as possible. Each registered guest receives a color-coded chart indicating how many items they may select - based on the number of people in the household - from each of the food groups presented, including proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables, and milk…and then there’s a real selection and variety of items within each food group, like the ability to choose a number of meals in each of four different proteins which are themselves changed each week. There are only a few people at a time, there’s no rush, and…most importantly, there’s no stigma!”

“And, increasingly, beyond the food, we have an offering of classes related to nutrition, health, food-as-medicine, and related topics…and we serve as an important point of referral for other social services,” Roberta Horowitz, who is responsible for programming at The Pantry, expands. ”We can help with how to sign-up for SNAP, or where to find legal help related to immigration or housing, or provide some guidance in accessing education.”

Jessica Crescenzi, an active volunteer and a Board Member of The Pantry, appeals, “We serve those in the community who are food insecure. That means we’re not just keeping some from going hungry, it means we’re ensuring that many don’t have to choose between food and other necessities. We’re making sure thousands of local kids have fruits and vegetables and milk when they otherwise would not. …I encourage all northern Westchester community members to donate, volunteer, and spread awareness!”

Trina refocuses, “Our immediate challenge is always to solicit contributions sufficient to fund and grow ongoing operations. But the big picture dictates that we take a look at our operating model to see how we can improve efficiencies - potentially through utilizing a mobile pantry, and also by delivering at our partner’s facilities - and how we can take The Pantry to the next level. …We’re bursting at the seams in our current premises. We don’t have enough storage or refrigeration. We’re cramped in every respect. We even have to dismantle part of our operations in the Church’s main hall each week after the food distribution - so the Church has the use of it over the weekend - only to have to set it up again the next week. We need a larger, roughly 7,500 square foot, one-level facility, probably somewhere in or near Mt. Kisco, with a loading dock, easy pedestrian access, and ample parking. …I’m hoping a few philanthropic individuals, who are passionate about reducing hunger in our community, will read this B&NC feature and decide to help!