More residents than ever before are using the weekly Greenfield Food Pantry, and its volunteer administration team is working extra hard to meet the growing need of the families of Greenfield.

Residents Heidi Lampert and her team of helpers began running the pantry after long-time volunteer Patty Schwarzbeck handed over its reigns of the Food Pantry, which is sponsored by St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. Lampert coordinates the food purchase, most of which comes from the Regional Food Bank in Latham, N.Y.; the food donations; and the staffing for each Wednesday’s 1:30-3:30 p.m. event at the Community Center. Her team does a fantastic job of attractively merchandising the food and coordinating its distribution, to make a quick and effortless stop for the many families that attend.

Volunteer Mike Ruhm and the pantry’s financial coordinator Debi Ficaretta have been actively seeking grants to help with the purchase of food. In recent months the pantry has received $2,500 from Stewart’s Shops’ “Holiday Match” program and $5,000 from the Hawley Foundation for Children. The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors recently donated $2,000 to the Regional Food Bank to use at its Greenfield Food Pantry. More donations have come from the Baptist Church, Greenfield Volunteer Fire Co. #1, Charles R. Wood Foundation, Ballston Spa National Bank, Ancient Order of Hiberians, and numerous private family donors.

“We are so thankful to these organizations and all the other residents who regularly donate to help those in need,” said Ficaretta.

To use the food pantry, residents are asked to supply proof of address in the Town of Greenfield and the number of household residents.

If you are interested in donating, the Food Pantry has a page on the town website (under Community) featuring a list of current needs. Ficaretta said the best way one can help is by donating financially because more food can be purchased at less cost from the Regional Food Bank. The organization recently set up a QR code below, which can be scanned to directly donate to the Greenfield pantry.

Insert QR code.

Visit regionalfoodbank.net, select Adopt a Program and enter “Town of Greenfield Food Pantry-1110F” in the Partner Agency box.

Gift cards are also appreciated as donations to the Food Pantry.

“The TOG is very lucky to have these faithful volunteers,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch. “We really appreciate their time and effort and the service of St. Joseph’s that allows this program to happen.”