The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Food Insecurity

“Take a Bite out of Hunger” Benefit for The Mount Kisco Interfaith Pantry to Take Place October 15, 2023

by

 

The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry (the “Pantry”) will be hosting its “Take a Bite out of Hunger” benefit on October 15, 2023 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Captain Lawrence Barrel House, 369 Lexington Avenue, Mount Kisco, NY.

Join the Pantry at this fun event for “suds”, “sliders” and “songs.” Featuring fantastic food and beverages by the Captain Lawrence Barrel House and music by the dynamic Four26 Band, there’ll be so much to enjoy while raising funds for the Pantry and the guests that it serves! 

 

Trina Ward Fontaine, Executive Director of the Pantry stated: “We are excited to raise a glass to toast the efforts of our donors, volunteers and staff who, over these last few years, have made it possible to provide those increasingly experiencing food insecurity in our community enough food for 14 meals per person, per week. Together, we have been able to accommodate the dramatic increase in guest numbers to approximately 93,000 in person visits last year, resulting from the pandemic, and most recently, from inflation.” 

 

Ms. Fontaine further stated: “Economic indicators show no signs that this need will ease and food prices are not decreasing in absolute terms. So, let’s band together to help our neighbors who are in need, and have some fun doing it. If you can’t join us, please consider making a donation and/or join us to volunteer.”

 

To purchase tickets or sponsorship, or otherwise donate, go to www.mountkiscofoodpantry.org and click on the Take a Bite out of Hunger link under “Get Involved/Events” or send an email with your request to:

outreach@mountkiscofoodpantry.org.

914 Cares Panelists Delved into the Reality of ‘Clothing Insecurity’ & More… Toward Ending Poverty

by

Jessica Reinmann, head of 914 Cares, leading a morning panel of the organization’s annual Westchester Poverty Symposium

There’s an assumption of affluence when you tell people you grew up in Westchester, posited David Heath, Co-Founder and CEO of Bombas, and keynote speaker for the 914 Cares 4th Annual Westchester Poverty Symposium which brought together non-profit leaders in March to discuss strategies and solutions toward ending poverty. “But when you peel back the onion, we see different layers–and not all affluent.”   

And, for many, far from.

In introducing Heath at the White Plains event, Jessica Reinmann, 914 Cares CEO and chairman, Reinmann opined that she considers Heath ‘the Derek Jeter’ in the business of giving, noting that Bombas was “just a few months away from donating its 100th million items of clothing” since its inception, its greatest focus… socks, the most requested item in homeless shelters, said Heath, who described his lightbulb moment as an executive: “that Bombas could donate a pair of socks for every pair of socks sold.” Today, the company works with over 3500 ‘giving partners’ such as 914 Cares across 50 states to achieve its astounding success.

And like the people behind 914 Cares and other service organizations represented at the White Plains March event addressing this lesser known aspect of poverty –  ‘clothing insecurity’ and its negative impact on the self esteem of children — Heath said the quality of the product is critical too, and that Bombas takes special measures toward that end.  “We want the person to experience the same level of quality and joy that we were delivering to our paying customers.” Reinmann later reenforced a similar concept, one central to the 914 Cares mission, focusing “on the dignity of the recipient.”

914 Cares described the Symposium as “an annual opportunity for thought leaders… to share innovative ideas about community-driven partnerships.”  “The event is all about connection, and learning how we can work together to share ideas and resources to improve the lives of our neighbors in need,” said Reinmann.

Along with Heath and Reinmann, the other panelists were Lynn Margherio, Founder/CEO, Cradles to Crayons; Nichole Culotta, Program Manager, 914 Cares; Ana Maria Fritsch, Bedford Central School District; and Matthew Fasciano, President & CEO, Delivering Goods. Later in the program, a final panel focused on Food Insecurity. Faith Butcher, Chief Impact Officer of United Way of Westchester shared highlights of that organization’s annual ALICE report. The panel also featured Daniel Bonnet, Chief Program Officer, Carver Center; Rick Rakow, founder of Rakow Commercial Realty & Board Member, Feeding Westchester; Erica Youngren, Full Plates Coalition Chair, County Harvest; and Chris Dapolito, Store Manager of DeCicco and Sons.

As Margherio noted in the first half of the panel: “It’s comforting to know there are so many kindred spirits in the fight to end clothing insecurity in children.”

For more information visit 914Cares.org

914Cares to Host its 4th annual Westchester Poverty Symposium on March 9

by

On Thursday, March 9th, the Westchester non-profit 914Cares will host its 4th annual Westchester Poverty Symposium. The event is being held at The Play Group Theatre in White Plains from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Featuring keynote speaker David Heath, the Co-Founder and CEO of Bombas, the symposium will feature presentations and conversations from some of the County’s leading experts on the topic.                

The Symposium is an opportunity for thought leaders including community members, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, policymakers, funders, and others to share innovative ideas about community-driven partnerships. 

Featured presenters and panelists include:                                                                                            

  • David Heath, Co-Founder and CEO, Bombas
  • Jessica Reinmann, CEO/Chairman, 914Cares
  • Lynn Margherio, Founder/CEO, Cradles to Crayons
  • Nichole Culotta, Program Manager, 914Cares
  • Ana Maria Fritsch, Bedford Central School District
  • Matthew Fasciano, President & CEO, Delivering Good
  • Daniel Bonnet, Chief Program Officer, Carver Center
  • Chris Dapolito, Store Manager, DeCicco and Sons
  • Faith Butcher, Chief Impact Officer, United Way of Westchester & Putnam
  • Missy Palmisciano, President and Founder, County Harvest

“The Poverty Symposium is all about creating synergies in order to create solutions for our neighbors in need,” said Jessica Reinmann, Chairman + CEO of 914Cares. “We’re particularly excited about this year’s lineup of speakers and panelists, all of whom are true innovators in the fight to eradicate poverty.” The lineup for the event is as follows:

8 a.m. Doors Open

8:30-9: A Fireside Chat With Dave Heath, CEO + Co-Founder, Bombas

9-10: Panel Discussion–“Clothing Insecurity and Its Negative Impact on the Self-Esteem of Children”

10:15-11: An Update on the United Way’s ALICE Report– “Living Without a Safety Net: The Invisible Struggle of Households Working Paycheck to Paycheck”

11-12: Panel Discussion–“Using Food Rescue to Combat Food Insecurity”                        

To learn more about the Westchester Poverty Symposium or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.914cares.org/poverty-awareness/. The event is open to the public, and special student/non-profit tickets are available. 

All attendees must be registered, as capacity is limited–please contact lisa@914cares.org.                                                                                 

ABOUT 914CARES: Our vision is for everyone in Westchester to live a full, healthy, and happy life free from the hardship of poverty. 914Cares works to ensure our neighbors in need are cared for by collaborating, supporting and providing resources to local organizations, educating the community about poverty and encouraging actionable generosity. We carry out our primary mission by: Distributing tangible re- sources, Educating the community, Engaging the next generation, and Collaborating with Community Partners. For more information, visit 914cares.org.                                                

 

News and image Courtesy of 914Cares

Good Will, Volunteerism and Community Donations at the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry

by

Save the Date for a May 1 ‘NO SHOW GALA’ Celebrating 30 Years

The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry has been assisting families since 1991, and can probably count thousands of volunteers and donors to their credit. However, the nonprofit only began holding an annual fundraiser three years ago. That said, the event isn’t just about bringing in money. “It’s an opportunity to engage with some of our supporters and have a touch point with them,” said President Kelley Housman. 

Unfortunately, Covid prevented the spring gathering last year and now this year. So not wanting to completely let the annual connection go, the pantry is going virtual to celebrate their 30th anniversary and holding a “No Show Gala” on May 1. “I’m going to appreciate a night in and think about the good work that the Mt Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry does,” posed Housman. “So instead of buying a ticket, I’m going to make a donation.”

Nonetheless, the story began when the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco and Temple Shaaray Tefila saw a specific need in the community. “People would come out of the hospital,” said Housman, “and sometimes they would need assistance.” The helping nudge became a push, and the pantry was soon serving eight families. Of course, the story is often the same. “Imagine you’re making choices between feeding your family well or feeding them minimally so you can pay your rent,” said Housman. A year later, nine area congregations joined in and 40 families were on the menu. As a result, the business soon added fundraising, and the nonprofit began purchasing subsidized staples from Feeding Westchester. Of course, the bumps in America’s road always sends the pantry’s efforts on the incline. For instance, the 2008 financial crises saw a deep increase in demand. But the pantry always perseveres at the United Methodist Church of Mt. Kisco, and the (almost) all volunteer nonprofit served healthy food to 68,000 people last year.

Food insecurity doesn’t care about the numbers, though. “We just never know how quickly circumstances can change,” Housman said, and first time seeking help can have people biting down hard. 

The fear of being judged is the primary mouthful. ‘Nancy’ of Mt Kisco can attest from her initial visit in 2012. A student trying to feed her family, she said, “I felt kind of embarrassed.”

Imagine you’re making choices between feeding your family well or feeding them minimally so you can pay your rent.

On the other hand, any apprehension really has no recourse but to abate. “The volunteers don’t judge and are always there to help,” said the medical assistant.

Housman encourages struggling families to take the first step, but the sentiment doesn’t just come by way of common courtesy. “We create a shopping experience for our clients, where they come in and make selections based on their personal preferences and dietary needs,” she said. “It’s a much better interaction than just handing over a bag of prepackaged food.”

Unfortunately, Covid protocols have forced the process into a less personal experience. Initially clients drove by for pickups, but downtown Mt Kisco wasn’t conducive. So the pantry got creative. Aside from upping home delivery service, families scan in and more rooms at the church are utilized so foot traffic doesn’t overlap. They have also created ‘“Covid pods” so volunteering families stay in the same distribution rooms.   

The pantry can’t contain the goodwill, though, and it includes a long roster of local businesses, community organizations, grocery stores and individuals. As the demand has skyrocketed with Covid, Housman is forever grateful for all those who have embraced the mission. 

But nothing is better than when the mission embraces the people and comes full circle. “We have a number of clients who have volunteered and even become board members,” Housman beamed. 

Area Youth & Creative Volunteers

“We have area youth too who have come up with incredibly creative fundraising strategies.” One group writes poems for donations, another local kid donates proceeds from his own ice cream product and scouting groups have long been doing their share. But receiving also can require emotional support, and two local girls have been on top of it since last summer. They anonymously drop off handmade cards and include notes of hope and inspiration.

Right into the prepackaged bags, the feeling is mutual for clients–and Nancy doesn’t hesitate to express it: “Thank you for all your help, we are blessed.” 

For more info on the May 1 No Show Gala, visit  www.mountkiscofoodpantry.org