Food donations welcome as Food Pantry week approaches

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With the current restrictions on large gatherings due to the pandemic, this year’s Food Pantry Party is an Akron-Newstead Food Pantry Week set for October 10-17, 2020.  Food collection barrels and coin collection jars are located at various businesses in the village and town through October 16, 2020.  Mail checks payable to the Akron/Newstead Food Pantry to: Community Holiday Food Drive P.O. Box 47 Akron, NY 14001.

Food may be dropped off at the East entrance of the American Legion at 9 Eckerson Avenue during Food Pantry Week only, with the final day for food drop off Saturday, October 17, 2020 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Individuals who drop food off on October 17 will have the opportunity to participate in lottery raffles.  Winners will be notified by telephone.

The Food Pantry serves more than 100 families and individuals each month and the need is dire.  The 2019 Food Pantry drive and party raised more than $16,000 for the Pantry and more is needed this year.

Proclamations naming October 10-17, 2020 Food Pantry Week were presented in the Village of Akron and Town of Newstead Board meetings last month.

A Food Pantry Party of some form has helped raise funds and provide food for the Akron-Newstead Food Pantry since the 1990’s when Ray and Sharon Carlo opened their home for a “Charlie Brown Party” designed to bring in food and donations for the Pantry and to share some good refreshment and fellowship.

The party was attended by many in the community, and cars and trucks full of food were taken to the pantry the following morning.  This continued each year around Christmas time for at least ten years. 

Mike and Marybeth Whiting picked up the ball and sponsored the party at the American Legion for the next 8 to 10 years, with the same goals and results of solid support for the Food Pantry. 

In 2014, when the Food Pantry was left with no sponsor for this huge effort, a group of community volunteers stepped in and took it over and have sponsored an annual fundraiser since.   This is that group’s seventh year and so far, they have raised over $60,000 as well as many cars and trucks full of food to help the pantry.