Food Pantry’s ‘Share the Love’ campaign true to its name

Excitement was clearly in the air at the Groton Food Providers’ (GFP) home, located in the Joyce Crouch Benevolence Building at 701 S. Main St. Local groups and individuals delivered 25 decorated and four undecorated food donation boxes the morning of Feb. 18 in response to the “Share the Love” food drive.  

GFP Coordinator Jessamine (Jess) Stone extended the opportunity to anyone who wanted to participate in a fun way to help restock the GFP’s shelves with needed items. The items were collected and dropped off in a decorated box to be judged in a contest for “best boxes” in various categories. 

“I am truly overwhelmed by the response from the community for this event,” Stone said. “The creativity and generosity were beyond my expectations.”  

In no particular order, decorated boxes were received from Emmanuel Baptist Church in McGraw (two entries), the kindergarten teachers of Groton Elementary School (GES), the second grade teachers of GES, the joint effort of the universal prekindergarten and prekindergarten teachers of GES, the cafeteria and nursing staff of GES, the First National Bank of Groton, Tompkins Community Action Day Care Center of Groton, the Homer Intermediate School (two entries), Thayer’s Friday Night Pizza Group of Ithaca, the Interact Club of Groton Jr./Sr. High School, Summerhill Brewery, Crossroads Restaurant & Poker League in Lansing, Cub Scouts Pack 10 of Groton, Blodgett Mills Sportman’s Club of Blodgett Mills, the House of Balloons from the Groton Community Health Care Center (GCHCC), the Dietary Department of GCHCC, the Environmental Services Department of GCHCC, the Maintenance Department of GCHCC, the Rehabilitation Department of GCHCC, the GCHCC administration team and Donna Berich, Susan Bower and Amy Vorhis – all three from Groton. 

The four boxes that were not decorated came from Beth Durbin, Pat Gaines, Tompkins-Cortland Real Estate Groton and Tompkins-Cortland Real Estate Cortland.  

The three judges – Ruth Dilger Williams, Pastor Sharon Newman and Robert (Bob) Yachinich – had their work cut out for them as they deliberated over which three entries would place highest in the Most Creative, Prettiest, and Best Overall Theme categories. There was also one winner for Best in Show.       

Williams, who has lived in Groton for the past 20 years, has been a childcare specialist with the Child Development Council in Ithaca for about a year. Many may remember her for her work in food and nutrition for Tompkins Community Action for 30 years prior. 

  “I hoped I could be honorable enough to choose well out of all the submissions,” Williams said. “I knew it would be hard, and I was pleasantly excited to see how many there were. I didn’t know how I would decide on just three in each category.” 

  Newman has been the family and children’s pastor at Groton Assembly of God church since 2005. She moved to Groton from Lansing in 2007. She said she was “blessed and surprised” to be asked to be a judge and was impressed with how much thought people put into their boxes.  

  “This was an amazing idea, and I am amazed by the terrific response and the things people came up with and how clever they were,” Newman said. “I have to say thank you to those who participated. It’s all about sharing the love with your creativity and your gifts of food, and it’s going to be very hard to choose.” 

  Yachinich has lived in Groton for three years and has been the service officer for the Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800 for just as long. He served as a Specialist 5 in the United States Army from 1971 to 1977 – primarily at Fort Eustis, Virginia, as a diesel locomotive repairman.  

  Originally from Sullivan, Wisconsin, Yachinich and his wife, Nancy, relocated here when their daughter, Emily Ellison, started her family here and they wanted to be close to their grandchildren.  

  Yachinich said he was “surprised at the sheer number of boxes” and that it was double the number he thought there might be. 

  “It’s very impressive and speaks well for the tone of how the community feels toward humanity,”  Yachinich said. “I was glad to be asked and want people to look at the Legion as a resource. We want to be involved with the community, and it’s nice that the community sees our focus on community service.” 

  Williams explained how the three judges got together and discussed each category. She said that they had great collaboration on the results. Newman spoke about what a great job the GFP team did in organizing it all and guiding the judges through the process. 

  “It was very difficult to judge,” Yachinich said. “Some are more advanced than others, which added to the complexity of my decisions.” 

  But in the end, the results were in, and the winners were awarded prizes that were generously donated by Bun Appetit Bakery & Cafe, Casper’s Kitchen, Hometown Pizzeria, Main Street Pizzeria and Memory Lanes.  

  The winners in Most Creative were Tompkins Community Action Day Care Center, Environmental Services Department of GCHCC and Maintenance Department of GCHCC – taking first, second and third places, respectively.  

  Following that same pattern, the winners in Prettiest were the Dietary Department of GCHCC, the universal prekindergarten and prekindergarten teachers of GES and Homer Intermediate School.  

  The House of Balloons of GCHCC, Thayer’s Friday Night Pizza Group and Emmanuel Baptist Church were the respective winners in the Best Overall Theme category, and Crossroads Restaurant & Poker League were awarded Best in Show. 

  “My team and I are thrilled because we feel the purpose of ‘Share the Love’ was definitely accomplished,” Stone said. “Thank you again to all the donors and community members who made it such a success. I think we may just have found another yearly project!” 

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 

Ridge Runners spaghetti supper 

The Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club will hold a spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at its clubhouse, 748 Salt Rd., 1 mile north of Rt. 90. Meals include spaghetti and meatballs and a side salad. Cost is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens and $10 for children aged 5-12. Children 4 and under may eat for free. This is a perfect way to enjoy a unique dining experience in a rustic country setting. Takeout dinners are also available. 

Outstanding CTEC student 

Groton Jr./Sr. High School student Austin Hunt was recognized as an outstanding student of the month for January at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC). Hunt is in the Heavy Equipment program at the CTEC. 

  Outstanding students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and a positive role model. Congratulations to Austin Hunt! 

School bus runs added!

In response to the various programs currently being offered after school hours, the Groton Central School District is adding the after-school late bus on Mondays. Students may now take the late bus Monday through Thursday evenings!