Mt. Kisco Food Pantry Needs Help With Food, Cash

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y—As Christmas day arrives, giving and receiving what we wish for and want is at the forefront of the mind, the spirit of the holidays hitting with full force on the joyful Christmas morning. For more than 250 people, though, the holiday will be focused on need.

The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is a volunteer organization that sits underneath the United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco, and it has run out of food in the week leading up to the big holiday. The reason for the shortage is an easy one to fathom, as the demand became overwhelming for the pantry during the holiday rush. According to its site, the pantry normally serves roughly 160 families per week.

“They had given food to 250 families this week and were completely out of food. In two weeks, those people are going to need supplemental groceries,” said Pastor Paul Alcorn of the Bedford Presbyterian Church, one of the 12 congregations who support the pantry.

That is the main concern for the congregations involved. Pastor Matt Curry of the United Methodist Church in Mount Kisco found it hard to picture seeing someone leaving empty-handed.

“On the one hand, it’s great the community’s able to support as many as it does. On the other, it’s that time of year, and we want to do the best and the most we can, so it’s disappointing to think that there are maybe folks who didn’t get as much as they expected.”

The pantry works in association with The Food Bank of Westchester, and because of the partnership, Curry says that monetary donations are of the utmost importance.

“Food drives are great, but it’s really the cash that’s most important so they can provide a consistent, nutritious set of options for their clients,” he said.

No matter how anyone can donate, though, Alcorn and Curry urge those out there who have even a smidgen more than they expected to give back to their own or neighboring community.

“One of the headlines in the news last week, according to U.S census data, nearly half of the citizens of the U.S fall either under the poverty line or classify as low income,” said Alcorn. “We live in one of the 20 wealthiest zip codes in the country. Some of our population fall into the prior category. I don’t think any family should go hungry. Every little bit helps.”

To donate to the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, click here. 

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