The joy of giving was on full display at Pine Bush last week! On September 9th, administrators, staff, Board of Education members, retirees, members of the Wallkill East Rotary Club and Lions Club gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the high school pantry’s newly installed freezer.
Seeing the pantry’s growing need for frozen storage, the Rotary club applied for a grant to bring an additional freezer to the pantry. When Michael’s Appliances of Middletown heard the news – they stepped up in a big way and generously donated a new freezer as well as a part to fix an existing freezer. The grant funds were then allocated to the district’s backpack program. Last year, the backpack program was able to create and send 2,512 bags of food home with 71 students. This year, with the grant funding, the program is projected to provide food for 97 students!
Small acts, big local impact.
Ms. Carson-Decker shared her gratitude for everyone who helped make the food pantry a success. She said, “We are fortunate to live in such a generous community. Anytime there is a need, the immediate response is and always has been “How can I help?” And that is what drives the success of this food pantry. The beauty of what we do and who we are is having the many parts make up the whole of the Pine Bush Food Pantry. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for making this tiny project into the big impact it has become.”
Superintendent of Schools Joe Lenz also expressed his gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who continue to support the pantry and the students and families it serves. We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Michael’s Appliances, our volunteers, and everyone who contributed their time, resources and compassion. Their kindness is making a meaningful difference in the lives of Pine Bush students and families.
In the last year, the pantry and volunteers distributed 12,984 pounds of food to the school community, which is the equivalent of 28,147 meals. Food is picked up from the Regional Food Bank each week by members of the local rotary club, Lions Club and Knights of Columbus in order to keep the pantry fully stocked.
The celebration was a powerful reminder of how small acts of kindness can lead to unexpected outcomes. It is truly a community effort!
To schedule a visit to the food pantry, please email food.pantry@pinebushschools.org Stay tuned for more information regarding distribution dates and the backpack program, which is expected to begin the first week of October.
