October 02, 2008 04:01 pm
—
Staff Report
The Cooperstown Food Bank
has announced that it will no longer
be able to serve emergency
food assistance to all of Otsego
County.
According to co-director Audrey
Murray, the food bank has
seen a 60 percent increase in the
number of families seeking emergency
food assistance over the
last year and is finding it impossible
to cope with the increased
costs. Murray said the food bank’s
monthly deliveries from the Regional
Food Bank of Northeastern
N.Y. in Latham in both August
and September, were 13,000
pounds.
Murray said in August 2008
the food bank served a record 169
families - 60 of which were from
the greater Oneonta area. She
added, nearly all of the food
bank’s funding is from the community
and churches of Cooperstown,
a population just over
2000, and because of that, the
food bank will limit it services to
people living in Northern Otsego
County. The following communities
will no longer be served:
Oneonta, Otego, Worcester,
Schenevus, Maryland, Portlandville,
Colliersville, Morris, Butternuts,
Wells Bridge, Gilbertsville,
Unadilla and Laurens.
`` Those who live in the Oneonta
area (south of Milford ) willáneed
to seek assistance from the three
food pantries and soup kitchens
in Oneonta,’’ said Murray. ``This
is the first time in the 30 year
history of the Cooperstown Food
Bank that we have limited access
to assistance.’’
Murray said she is very concerned
that the huge increase in
the price of home heating fuel
this winter and the current economic
turmoil will continue to
stress the food bank’s resources
despite service cuts. Donations of
food and funds are greatly appreciated,
said Murray.
The food bank is an all volunteer
organization located at the
First Presbyterian Church on
Church Street. It uses volunteers
to collect donations of food and
funds, stock shelves, transport
deliveries from its regional delivery
site, unload deliveries, do
bookkeeping and paperwork, organize
volunteer staff, and provide
assistance to families seeking
emergency food aid. Murray
said since the food bank has no
administrative costs, and space
is rent free, donations received go
directly to the needy.
Hours of operation continue to
be Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to
noon and 2 to 4 p.m.
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