Tarrytown Little Free Pantry Seeking Food Donations, More

 

TARRYTOWN, NY — In Westchester County, according to County Harvest, hunger relief organizations serve a broad range of households, including an estimated 66 percent of families with income below the federal poverty level and 41 percent which include at least one employed adult.

That is why the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns set up its Little Free Pantry in the summer of 2022.

“The whole point of it is to fill in the gaps where food pantries don’t,” said Larah Alami, a member of the Rotary and president-elect of the organization.

She told Patch the local Rotary Club got a grant from the district organization to get the food pantry up and running.

“It became increasingly aware there was a need in the community,” Alami said.

Located in front of Tarrytown Village Hall, 1 Depot Plaza, the pantry is available 24/7 and it is completely anonymous.

Its mission is clearly stated on the doors to the Little Free Pantry: Take What You Need; Donate What You Can.”

Alami said there’s no way of saying how many people are using the free pantry, though anecdotally there are reports that multiple people have been seen taking items from it.

While the organization accepts monetary donations, which help to supplement the pantry with items and helps with the upkeep, food items that are shelf-stable, sealed, unexpired and able to withstand high temperatures are needed. Also, hygiene, paper items and pet food are popular.

“People even put in random items like books and kids toys,” Alami said. “What one person might think is garbage, another person might want.”

There is a list in the pantry of items that would be appreciated if donated, including personal hygiene products like toothbrushes and soap, household products like dish soap, foil and dry products like rice and cereal. There is even a Google doc for people to sign up to help keep an eye on the free pantry.

Alami said the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns has long had a focus in donating for food insecurity.

She said they are in the planning stages of setting up another give-and-take food pantry in nearby Sleepy Hollow.

“It’s not very far, but people coming from Sleepy Hollow might not have transportation to come to Tarrytown,” Alami said.

“People underestimate how many people are living with food insecurity,” she said.