LITTLE VALLEY — The Little Valley Meals Pantry is celebrating its one-year anniversary on the former Little Valley Faculty at 207 Rock Metropolis St. this month.
Meals pantry supervisor Mary Bailey mentioned they could not be happier with their new location. With more room and a greater design, she has allowed the pantry to develop and accommodate the ever-increasing quantity of people that want meals.
The meals pantry beforehand operated at Valley View Baptist Church on the outskirts of city for about 16 years, however outgrew area as increasingly individuals got here to the pantry. Bailey, who has managed the pantry for almost 4 years, labored there for about six years earlier than taking up when former supervisor Allie Emerson retired.
“We knew we have been outgrowing our church area and had no cupboard space to talk of,” Bailey mentioned. “Our freezer and fridge have been saved in a shed manner again from the church. It meant we needed to drive again there, crossing a creek and backing as much as the shed doorways to get the frozen produce and dairy. There was no good place to show round, so it was a fantastic job within the winter.”
They thought that the varsity can be very best as a result of it’s in the midst of the city the place individuals might stroll comfortably. Once they checked out the area, they thought it might be simply what they wanted.
Final July, Bailey and her volunteers moved into their new location on the rear of the varsity constructing on the primary flooring. She mentioned they now have the comfort of a kitchen, cafeteria, warehouse, walk-in cooler, and walk-in cooler. In addition they have new cabinets and different conveniences to work with that they did not have on the church.
The 86-year-old Cattaraugus lady and her band of a dozen volunteers dedicate their time and vitality to creating certain individuals get the meals they want. She thanked her volunteers who she mentioned are all great.
Bailey mentioned the rising value of meals continues to extend the quantity of people that go to the pantry. She mentioned that she had between 50 and 70 individuals who got here every week after they have been at church. Now they’ve near 100 every month, typically extra.
“Meals is pricey and the cabinets are sometimes naked in among the shops. Individuals inform us that our pantry typically has issues that shops do not have,” she mentioned. “With individuals shedding their jobs and going via robust occasions, largely as a result of pandemic, there are much more individuals who want the meals now.”
Along with meals from the Meals Distribution Heart in Buffalo, the pantry additionally receives meals donations from Walmart and Tops Market in Springville and pizza from Little Caesars in Salamanca.
Based on Bailey, they usually have a tough time getting meals for the pantry recently as a result of there simply is not something round. Whenever you order from the Buffalo pantry, you by no means know the way a lot meals you are going to get as a result of that pantry would possibly run out of some objects.
Bailey mentioned the pantry survives on grants and donations. They anticipate to obtain a meals grant from the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Basis via St. Bonaventure College in September, in addition to one other from the Meals Distribution Heart.
She mentioned the grants primarily cowl the price of meals and gear. Whereas her pantry would not at present want new gear, Bailey mentioned they might be trying to buy a much-needed new laptop.
“I wish to see volunteers get somewhat reimbursement for fuel and time they put in after they take extra meals journeys to Springville and Salamanca,” he added.
Bailey mentioned they respect the financial donations that enable them to purchase extra meals.
She mentioned they take the donations and go to the grocery retailer to purchase what they want, if it is out there, to assist inventory their pantry.
The Meals Pantry is open each Friday from 9 am to 1 pm A truck brings in produce and dairy on the final Thursday of every month from 10 am to midday. Bailey mentioned that anybody qualifies to obtain meals from the truck.
Donations for the meals pantry will be mailed to Mary Bailey, 9579 Leon Street, Cattaraugus, NY 14719. For extra data or to report somebody experiencing a meals emergency, please name Bailey at (716) 257-3135 .
