Thanksgiving is well on its way, yet many local families don’t have the same reasons for being thankful this year as they did before the country’s economic downturn.

Lisa Hudson, director of Curé of Ars of Merrick outreach, said, “I’m seeing a real different demographic now. It used to be the single divorced mom, now I’m seeing professional family units with two formerly working parents.”  

Susan Brucia, the director of outreach for St. Barnabas in Bellmore, added, “I have clients that made six-figure salaries not that long ago.” 

Kathy Ryan, director of outreach for Maria Regina in Seaford, echoed those sentiments. “We have people coming in that made $100,000 to $200,000 a year because they’ve lost their jobs.” 

Ele Ruth Melendez, director of the outreach program for St. Frances de Chantal in Wantagh, said, “Those that gave to the pantry, those that supported the pantry, those are the ones now coming in.”  

Alfonso Martinez, director of outreach for Holy Redeemer in Freeport said something eerily similar: “People who were giving donations are those now receiving donations.”  

Mr. Martinez said the increase in the families they service coincides directly with the spikes in unemployment.  Ms. Hudson added, “In a town like Merrick, where you have a lot of educated people out of work, it’s scary.”    

How you can help

While all the pantries spoken to mentioned this change, thankfully, there are those still able to give, and the local food pantries are there to help distribute to those in need.  The area food pantries are happy to help all those in need regardless of religion, as long as one lives within the parish. As Ms. Melendez said, “Hunger has no religion.”

St. Barnabas in Bellmore, 785-6243

Ms. Brucia said they need all nonperishable foods, and they can also accept frozen foods as they do have freezers, but not perishable foods because they don’t have refrigerators. She also said she is always happy for volunteers, especially near the holidays.

Cure of Ars in Merrick, 632-1400

Ms. Hudson said, “We are in need of staple items, not expensive stuff.”  Some items she listed included pasta, pasta sauce, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, rice and boxed mashed potatoes.  

They also have a freezer and can except frozen turkeys and hams.  Ms. Hudson said people can drop off items at outreach between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or anytime in the basket in the back of the church.  She also welcomes volunteers.

Holy Redeemer in Freeport, 378-0665

Mr. Martinez said they are able to accept any kind of food donations and are very much in need of staple foods, especially rice. He said this is one of the hardest stretches of the year from now up until Thanksgiving, and that the parish outreach also accepts donations of clothes.

Maria Regina in Seaford, 795-7438

Ms. Ryan said they are servicing many families with young children, so things children will eat are most needed:  apple juice, boxed juice drinks, snacks to bring to school and chicken nuggets.  They are also in need of condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, coffee and tea, and soap.

St. Francis de Chantal, Wantagh, 785-2333

Ms. Melendez said they are able to accept all foods, frozen, refrigerated and nonperishables. She also said gift cards are welcome, as are volunteers. Ms. Melendez said to remember that “Hunger goes all year ‘round.” And she hopes those thinking about donating now will also continue to do so after the holiday season. 

St. William the Abbot in Seaford, 679-8532

According to Sr. Elizabeth Myles, St. William the Abbot has no refrigerators or freezers so they can only accept non-perishable food and supermarket gift cards. Some nonperishable foods include pasta, sauce, rice, cereal, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese, pop-tarts, granola bars, canned soups, canned vegetables, tuna fish and canned hams. 

Sacred Heart in Merrick, 379-6123

Sacred Heart can accept small things for the freezer and refrigerator as well as nonperishables and gift certificates for frozen turkeys. Some nonperishables that are needed include pasta, sauce, Uncle Ben’s flavored rice, Rice-a-Roni, cereal, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese, pop-tarts, granola bars, Progresso soups, juice boxes, apple juice, diced tomatoes, salad dressings, coffee, tea, mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup.  They also need toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, shampoos and deodorants. 

St. Christopher’s in Baldwin, 223-0723

Saint Christopher’s is in need of canned vegetables such as, corn, string beans, yams, and potatoes, stuffing, gravy, vouchers for the supermarket so clients can purchase frozen turkeys (they have limited freezer space in the food pantry), canned hams, tuna, stews, Spam, cereal, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, peanut better, jelly, coffee, pasta, sauce, boxed macaroni and cheese, cans of Chef Boyardee, healthy soups, Ramen noodles and cookies.  

Food can be dropped off when the pantry is open 2-3:30 p.m. Monday or Friday, and 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesday.  But donations can be dropped off at the rectory anytime Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.    

St. James in Seaford, 735-8690

Food can be dropped off anytime between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parish center. Especially in demand are items that cannot be purchased with food stamps, such as paper goods, including toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins.  

Also, toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, liquid and bar soap, and detergent. Always needed are sugar-free items, snacks, canned fruit and meats, mayonnaise, tuna fish, peanut butter, jelly, coffee and tea, both decaf and regular, pancake mix and pancake syrup.

By Linda Delmonico Prussen