To the Editor:
As the coordinator of the Food Pantry, I am often asked, “Was it a good year for the pantry?” Well, what makes for a good year? The answer is no, if it means more people are in need. The answer is yes, if more of the people in need are tapping our resources.
Is a good year one in which all our bills are paid? The answer is no, if we had to draw on our endowment. The answer is yes, if we did not have to draw on it (the last time we did was in 2007). Other factors include whether or not we have lowered our expenses and paid our fair share of the costs for using the Methodist Church facilities, and whether we have improved the quality of our food. Generally, I would say it was a good year.
Pantry visits this winter totaled 2,240 compared with 2,405 last year. The number of families served was 475, down from 505. Our income went from $96,589 to $97,373. Our expenses were down from a record of $106,007 in 2012-13 to $95,680. Except for administrative expenses of $2,333 (last year $2,278) for building use, phone, thank-you notes, etc., all money was used for purchasing food or $25 gift cards, which we give out once a month.
We assisted 475 families, representing nearly 1,000 people on the Vineyard, including at least 200 children. In addition, granola bars were provided to all the public schools for breakfast supplements. We averaged 86 visits a week.
The Rev. Helen Oliver inaugurated the pantry as an outreach program of Christ United Methodist Church in 1981. In 34 years, it has expanded from a one-person effort to a ministry of more than 70 volunteers. The pantry is supported by all the faith communities on the Island, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger, by Islanders, businesses, schools, summer visitors, and organizations. Special thanks to the many Island Club Card members who designated the pantry as their charity of choice, which provided us with $4,187, and to the Hebrew Center for providing 50 cushioned chairs for our clients and over a dozen volunteers. The above is a wonderful and effective effort of cooperation and caring. We receive no government food or funds.
In 10 out of the past 18 years, we spent more than we received. Our endowment fund covered the shortages. These funds were given in memory of Kevin Kennedy, Daniel Alisio, and Sayan Kasem. Our goal is to maintain the original gift, and use the growth in the endowment for income shortages or special projects, as we did in making our entryway handicapped-accessible. Hopefully, others will include the Island Food Pantry in their wills, so we might meet future difficult periods for our island neighbors. In our efforts to communicate with both English- and Portuguese-speaking friends, we have a translator present on most days we are open. Our website, islandfoodpantry.org, includes a documentary about us created by Joshua Bernstein and his family.
People can come to the pantry, located in the Methodist Church (Stone Church), at the corner of Church and William streets in Vineyard Haven, once every two weeks on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 2 to 4 pm from mid-October to mid-April. Emergencies are responded to throughout the year when people call the pantry number (508-696-4764).
The pantry has no paid staff. All gifts provide food for the Island community. A contribution is made to the church to help with the cost of heat, light, and garbage removal. Our administrative costs, including hundreds of thank-you notes, are under 3 percent of our income. We have an advisory board, and our books are audited each year. For the wonderful cooperation of the church and the community, I am sincerely thankful. Best of all, our volunteers have worked hard and kept a positive attitude. I am grateful to be a part of such a caring community.
Armen Hanjian
Food Pantry coordinator