Neighbors help neighbors through local food bank

Reaching out a hand to a neighbor in need is a trait as iconic to Newfield as its historic covered bridge. In times of crisis — a house fire, a car accident, a flood — people here have always been quick to offer whatever support was needed. In today’s world, it is hard to pinpoint just one crisis, but food insecurity has got to be toward the top of the list.

In response to the increasing need, the Newfield community is forming a social support network of both established organizations and grassroots efforts.

The food pantry at the Methodist Church in Newfield has been in existence for almost 40 years but has seen an increase in family participation since COVID-19, according to pantry director Marge Strosnider. Many breadwinners have been laid off, had their hours reduced or been forced to leave a job to stay home with the children.

“It can be a challenge to make sure that we have enough to go around,” Strosnider said.

This is especially true since the grant from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, one of the pantry’s main sources of funding, according to Strosnider, was cut by over 75% in July. An email from Amanda Palme, representative of the Food Bank, cited a decrease in funding from New York state and an increase in the number of agencies receiving funds as reasons for the precipitous drop.

Acknowledging that the cut came at a particularly bad time, Strosnider said that local donors have done their best to fill the gap. The pantry has received cash or food donations from many sources, including the Community Good Neighbor Fund, the Newfield Mason’s and the student-run garden at Newfield Central School District.

“One community member even donated their entire stimulus check,” Strosnider said. “We also have the best team of volunteers anywhere.”

Since the pandemic, the pantry has changed the way food is distributed. Patrons fill out order forms in their cars, while volunteers assemble orders and shuttle them out to the parking lot.

A relative newcomer to the food landscape, little blue cupboards are popping up all over Tompkins County. Coordinated by Mutual Aid Tompkins, each cupboard is managed by someone in the immediate vicinity. Newfield has two — one located at 2 Douglas Rd. managed by Phyllis Chichester and Dennis Winge and one at 768 Millard Hill Rd. managed by Jenna Sybert.

“Mutual Aid Tompkins was the brainchild of Juliana Garcia and came about in response to the pandemic,” Sybert said. “It’s based on neighbors helping neighbors because they know best what is needed in their own communities.”

Sybert says that she saw a little blue food pantry and called to find out how she could get one in her neighborhood.

“It was delivered the next day, and it’s been used every day since,” Sybert said.

Donations to the cupboard come in many forms, according to Sybert. Some individuals stop by and stock the cupboard themselves. Others drop off bulk packages to her house or have Amazon orders shipped to her directly. Some people give gift cards, which are very helpful to purchase specific requests or items that are harder to come by.

While Mutual Aid Tompkins doesn’t get food from other organizations, individuals will sometimes rehome unwanted or extra food that they’ve gotten from the school’s summer feeding program or other sources.

“Instead of throwing their extra raisins or beans in the trash, they give them to us for redistribution,” Sybert said.
In addition, the local Cub Scout troop is currently doing a food drive to benefit the little blue food cupboards, as well as the one in front of the Baptist Church.

Sybert’s own children are also getting involved, helping her to sort and clean the cupboards. In addition to organizational skills, she said they are learning compassion and getting an understanding of what love looks like.

“Sometimes love looks like separating garbage bags or repackaging toilet paper so that everyone has a chance to get what they need,” Sybert said.

Sybert has been inspired by the people she’s met since opening the cupboard, both donors and users. She sent an email requesting assistance and received 15 instant replies.

“People stop by and want to know how they can help. They just need to be asked,” she said.

She’s also met people all over Tompkins County who are genuinely appreciative of her time and effort.

“They feel blessed to receive items which others easily take for granted,” Sybert said.

The need is ongoing, and it is not too late to get involved. Sources recommended a few things interested residents can do to help.

First, make a monetary donation to the Community Good Neighbor Fund (P.O. Box 311, Newfield, NY 14867), the Food Bank of the Southern Tier (foodbankst.org) or Mutual Aid Tompkins (mutualaidtompkins.com). It may be possible to direct your contribution to a specific program.

Second, contribute nonperishable food or personal care products to the Newfield Kitchen Cupboard food pantry in the donation box near the side door of the Newfield Methodist Church on Main Street.

Third, drop off garden produce and eggs in the HUB cooler on the front porch of the Newfield Methodist Church on the first and third Wednesdays of the month through September for distribution at the pantry that evening. In Ithaca, fresh food and perishables may be taken to the refrigerators at 215 First St. and 311 Wood St.

Fourth, participate in Cub Scout Pack 34’s food and personal care products drive. Items may be dropped off at Poppa’s Kitchen, Seabring Inn or Kelly’s Salon through the end of September. Particular needs include baby items, personal hygiene and cleaning products, snacks, pasta and canned fruits.

Fifth, deliver or arrange delivery of bulk items to Jenna Sybert at 768 Millard Hill Rd. (or the manager of the cupboard near you) for equitable distribution. Gift cards to places like Wegmans, Aldi, Ollie’s or Walmart are also welcomed.

Sixth, offer to assist the manager of a little blue food cupboard by making a delivery to a homebound neighbor, going shopping or covering for a well-deserved break.

Last, consider hosting a little blue pantry in your own neighborhood. If you have the time and own or have permission to use a suitable property for this purpose, contact Mutual Aid Tompkins for details (mutualaidtompkins.org).