They come in one at a time to do their shopping.
The clients of St. Theodore's Food Cupboard ring a bell and wait for a volunteer to escort them inside. In the hallway, they wait their turn.
The customers stock up on canned goods, pasta, and boxed dinners. They can pick out personal care items when they're available. And last week, the cupboard had eggs — a real treat, according to volunteers.
But the clients who come here can find more than food. There's also hope. As one woman was thanking the volunteers for her food, she began to cry, telling them about the financial difficulties she is facing. They comforted her and offered her a prayer card for the Virgin Mary. The woman wiped her tears and left with a smile on her face.
Everyone who comes to the cupboard has a different reason why. For some it's job loss. Others are on fixed incomes or food stamps but have run out for the month and need some help filling their pantries. Many of the clients are seniors, according to Carol Bookmiller, co-director of the cupboard.
"We do see a lot more elderly people coming in," she said.
The food pantry, founded in 1982, serves residents of the 14606 and 14624 zip codes. Clients must bring in photo identification and answer some questions to qualify. Last year was the cupboard's busiest year as it served 4,567 individuals.
Co-director Kathy Nicol said the cupboard is stocked fairly well during the fall and winter — that's when businesses, schools and community organizations tend to donate. But as people go on vacation and school lets out, the cupboard begins to look a little bare.
"The worst time is the summer," Bookmiller said.
Donations are even more critical then, Nicol said, because students are out of school and not receiving meals there. The cupboard had a scare this past fall after Foodlink made cuts to its food and financial support for area pantries.
"It was very scary how we were going to get by in the fall," Nicol said. St. Theodore's had to cut back on what it was giving out.
The community has been generous, both women said, noting that area churches, schools and Scout troops help out. So does the Big M on Spencerport Road and a local farm.
"We try to give out as much fresh produce as we can," Nicol said.
Donations of nonperishable foods and personal care items are always welcome, as are cash donations or gift cards to grocery stores so volunteers can purchase items that are needed.
Yet some factors remain out of their control.
"We're hoping the economy will improve," Bookmiller said.
For more information about the cupboard, including how to help out or to receive food, call (585) 429-5360.
They come in one at a time to do their shopping.
The clients of St. Theodore's Food Cupboard ring a bell and wait for a volunteer to escort them inside. In the hallway, they wait their turn.
The customers stock up on canned goods, pasta, and boxed dinners. They can pick out personal care items when they're available. And last week, the cupboard had eggs — a real treat, according to volunteers.
But the clients who come here can find more than food. There's also hope. As one woman was thanking the volunteers for her food, she began to cry, telling them about the financial difficulties she is facing. They comforted her and offered her a prayer card for the Virgin Mary. The woman wiped her tears and left with a smile on her face.
Everyone who comes to the cupboard has a different reason why. For some it's job loss. Others are on fixed incomes or food stamps but have run out for the month and need some help filling their pantries. Many of the clients are seniors, according to Carol Bookmiller, co-director of the cupboard.
"We do see a lot more elderly people coming in," she said.
The food pantry, founded in 1982, serves residents of the 14606 and 14624 zip codes. Clients must bring in photo identification and answer some questions to qualify. Last year was the cupboard's busiest year as it served 4,567 individuals.
Co-director Kathy Nicol said the cupboard is stocked fairly well during the fall and winter — that's when businesses, schools and community organizations tend to donate. But as people go on vacation and school lets out, the cupboard begins to look a little bare.
"The worst time is the summer," Bookmiller said.
Donations are even more critical then, Nicol said, because students are out of school and not receiving meals there. The cupboard had a scare this past fall after Foodlink made cuts to its food and financial support for area pantries.
"It was very scary how we were going to get by in the fall," Nicol said. St. Theodore's had to cut back on what it was giving out.
The community has been generous, both women said, noting that area churches, schools and Scout troops help out. So does the Big M on Spencerport Road and a local farm.
"We try to give out as much fresh produce as we can," Nicol said.
Donations of nonperishable foods and personal care items are always welcome, as are cash donations or gift cards to grocery stores so volunteers can purchase items that are needed.
Yet some factors remain out of their control.
"We're hoping the economy will improve," Bookmiller said.
For more information about the cupboard, including how to help out or to receive food, call (585) 429-5360.
