Vital community food pantry in search of new home
Press Release:
The North Bergen Food Pantry, on North Bergen Road in the town of Bergen, was established by Pastor David Fish as a mission activity of the North Bergen Presbyterian Church in August 2019, but is soon losing its space!
Fish, seeing the great need in his rural community, set up the pantry with the help of volunteers, Foodlink, and donations from local churches, farmers, some individuals, and area businesses. His goal is to try to combat the food insecurity in his much-loved rural community.
On Dec. 31 sadly the North Bergen Presbyterian Church which has stood for nearly 200 years will be permanently closing its doors because of dwindling patronage. Without the church building, the pantry must be vacated. The pantry simply cannot afford the maintenance and upkeep of the church building and is looking for another space where they can move their operations. “I’m so hoping that someone will come forward and offer us a place. We have what we need; refrigerators, freezers, shelving units, and most importantly volunteers who are willing to continue this mission, we need at least 2,000 square feet of space. A space that offers a handicapped entrance, parking, and a restroom would be perfect,” says Fish.
In the 4 years the pantry has been in operation, the households served have steadily increased; the elderly population and others on fixed income have especially benefitted from the food provided. “There is a great need in our community,” says Fish, “in 2022 we helped over 1157 individuals from 394 households.” Fish continued, “Not only do we help families with food insecurity, but we also offer a warm environment and often foster relationships that may lead those in need to other services.”
FeedingAmerica.org reports that 87% of counties with the highest food insecurity rate are rural. In 2022 osc.state.ny.us reports that 11.7% of Genesee and Orleans County residents live in poverty. According to Fish, the pantry attendance grew 269% between March and December 2022. “As a result of the pandemic, food costs have risen and there have been supply-chain issues causing many families to make difficult decisions with regard to feeding their families,” says Fish.
Fish is very much devoted to keeping this much-needed food pantry alive and thriving into 2024 and beyond, but he is reaching out to the communities of Genesee, Orleans, and Western Monroe to help him find a place to continue his mission.
If you know of or have a potential vacant space that will be available by the end of the year, please contact Pastor David Fish at 585-290-5487. Also, if you would like to contribute to the North Bergen Food Pantry, please give him a call.
