American Legion makes much needed donation to food pantry

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by Diana Cook

The Phoenix Area Food Pantry carries an ongoing mission of assisting families in the community when life challenges their ability to make ends meet, offering an opportunity to receive a variety of foods, and products necessary. They often receive donations of non-perishable foods through various drives as well as purchasing needed items such as meats and produce from the Central New York Food Bank. 

The American Legion Post No. 418 is a group that primarily serves veterans but also, when funds are good, works on other fronts to support the local community, and in recent weeks decided to on lending a helping hand right in their own backyard. 

The two came together on Thursday, Sept. 15 when new commander Herb Hawker arrived at the doors of the Phoenix Area Food Pantry with a much needed donation and presented a check to a thoroughly thrilled Roberta Daly, one of the pantry coordinators, for $300. 

“We are so glad you thought of us,” said Daly, “We’re running low and really needed this.” 

“We’re just happy to do what we can to support others in the community,” said Hawker. 

Daly explained that although canned and box donations are critically important, “Sometimes we can do better shopping for what we need,” she said. For example, while most members of the community don’t donate meat and its hard for the pantry to open their doors for that, with limited space, it is an item families appreciate. “So sometimes monetary donations help us a great deal,” she said. 

With the holidays coming just two months down the road, discussion went towards the need for turkeys. “Those donations would certainly be put to good use,” said Daly, with Hawker confirming it would be something he personally as well as the American Legion could consider. 

But the surprise of $300 from the American Legion is one donation that will really go a long way towards helping the pantry meet their mission. “We appreciate it very much,” Daly said.