Lansing food pantry expansion complete

The Lansing Food Pantry is working more efficiently now that its $225,000 expansion project is complete, operators say. 

The pantry, located at 1767 E. Shore Dr. inside the Lansing Community Center, has been in operation since 1988. Its most recent expansion project transformed the pantry by providing more space for volunteers to itemize food offerings and continue to deliver vital aid to area families in need. 

The project came about when Andrew Sciarabba, treasurer of the Community Center’s board, visited pantry Executive Director Toni Adams during the COVID pandemic.

“[Sciarabba] was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, Toni, you guys don’t have any room,’” Adams said. “I told him we needed more room. The cost of materials was sky high, and finally we got out of that and we came up with the expansion project.”

The Community Center then raised the necessary funds for the expansion, which consisted of opening a whole new space in the shape of a garage where shelves of food can be categorized and separated for convenience. The work on the expansion was completed in October of last year.

“Now that we have the extra space, we can purchase more and have an inventory,” Adams added.

The bulk of the food is purchased through the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

“We can get that food for pennies compared to what you would pay if you went to Tops or any other store. That is huge,” Adams said.

In addition, some items are donated by community partners, including community organizations and the Aldi in the village of Lansing. 

“The Lansing school district organizes a drive every year,” Adams said, illustrating an example of community support. “There’s just so much support in this town. It’s unbelievable.”

Aldi is one of the pantry’s largest donors. For instance, in the first half of 2023, the Lansing location of the supermarket chain donated over 9,825 pounds of food to the pantry.

The increases in inventory afforded by community donations and expanded food orders also match an increase in community need. 

In 2020, the pantry distributed food aid to 1,252, a number that subsequently grew to 2,188 in 2021; 2,402 in 2022; and 3,226 in 2023.

“I think that increase is caused by a lot of reasons,” Adams said. “Some of it is because government programs have either decreased or are nonexistent now for people. As a result, we’re seeing more and more people in need. I think that as much as people don’t want to think that Lansing doesn’t have an issue with food insecurity, every town has an issue. Every community has an issue of people that need food. I think we’re definitely helping address that.”

Adams has been working at the pantry for six years. She started out as a volunteer after she retired from her job in human resources at Cargill after 39 years of service. 

“My cousin actually got me involved,” Adams said. “I just kind of fell into it.”

Her experience interacting with employees, helping them access their benefits and managing workplace dynamics prepared her well for her current role.

“Once I got into volunteering, I absolutely loved it,” she said. “We were helping people that needed help. That kind of fit into my background, and it just went from there.”

Adams also reflected on the evolution of the pantry.

“When COVID hit, we were deemed an essential entity, so we were able to stay open,” she said. “However, we had to change our model from people walking into the pantry and choosing their food, versus we now have a drive-thru. That has been a huge benefit for everybody.”

In brief:

The Spring Book Fair is coming to Raymond C. Buckley Elementary School in Lansing. Organizers say that it’s the perfect opportunity for students and families to come out and grab their favorite books, all while supporting the school.

Students can shop at school during their recess period on March 19, 20, and 21.

Students and caregivers can shop on March 22 during school conferences (12:30-3:45 p.m.) or during the PTSO Family Game Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.). Shopping hours for students and caregivers continue during school conferences on March 25 between 12:30 and 3:45 p.m.

For convenience, families can sign students up for an e-wallet. More information can be found here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/rcbuckleyelem?fbclid=IwAR1-fTk6-Hmx_A7_jjlUa6y-dAtSsww1OGQvHDWXjhBqRCmeHn5e7ZA8oec