'Pennies for Food' effort raises $20,00

WARWICK — In our middle class community, the number of people going without food is surprisingly large. Many depend on the resources of food pantries.

Due to recent changes in legislation concerning food stamps, food banks are being drained of their resources faster than ever, according to Charles W. Hemstreet, manager of the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry.

Recently, the Warwick Valley Central School District, the Warwick Valley Council of PTAs and local supporters decided to work together to meet this challenge.

Beginning in December, the Warwick school district and PTAs began a “Pennies for Food” campaign. Students were given the task of collecting at least 100 pennies to be donated to the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry.

Teachers and staff gave out empty penny rolls and each time a student brought in a few pennies, they added it to their roll. Containers were placed in designated places for donations from staff and community members.

To make this challenge even more valuable, local supporters Glenn P. AND Susan D. Dickes agreed to match each and every penny (and dollar) collected during this effort.

Special thanks go to the community partners who joined the effort to make this fund raiser even more successful: the Warwick Valley High School Interact Club, Warwick Rotary Club, ShopRite of Warwick, Track 7 Postal Center and Sterling National Bank.

The “Pennies for Food” effort raised $20,000 − even more than the initial goal.

“What began as a holiday coin drive in the schools concluded with a stunningly generous response from the community," Glen Dickes said. "It is our pleasure to match it.”

To learn more about the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry or to make a donation, visit www.warwickpantry.org.