Caritas Of Port Chester Inc

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE FOOD INSECURITY IN PORT CHESTER AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HEALTHY FOOD AND SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH THEIR NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION DOES THIS WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT SEEKS OUR ASSISTANCE. THEIR PROGRAM FOCUS IS ON FEEDING PEOPLE, AND THEIR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, FROM POP-UP PANTRIES TO HOME DELIVERIES AND MEAL PRODUCTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND WITH THE HELP OF OVER 500 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS.

SOUP KITCHEN: THE SOUP KITCHEN IS OPEN FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M., 5 DAYS A WEEK, 52 WEEKS A YEAR (EXCEPT FOR NATIONAL HOLIDAYS). FOR BREAKFAST IT PROVIDES CEREAL, ROLLS, DANISH, COFFEE, HOT SOUP OR STEW, AND WHEN POSSIBLE YOGURT, OATMEAL AND FRUIT. FROM 11:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M. LUNCH IS SERVED, WHICH INCLUDES A SOUP WITH VEGETABLES, A MEAT OR A FISH, RICE, POTATOES OR PASTA, A GREEN SALAD, A DESSERT AND A DRINK. CLIENTS MAY HAVE A SECOND SERVING IF REQUESTED. IN MARCH OF 2020, THE PANDEMIC CAUSED THE ORGANIZATION TO CLOSE DOWN THEIR COMMMUNITY DINING ROOM. THE KITCHEN WAS CLOSED FOR A MONTH AND THEN REOPENED FOR MEAL PRODUCTION AND PACKAGED MEAL PREPARATION FOR DISTRIBUTION ONLY. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN PURCHASING ENTREES FROM LOCAL RESTURANTS TO SUPPLEMENT THE MEALS, THEY WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE AND DOUBLED THEIR PRODUCTION OF SIDE DISHES TO ACCOMPANY THE PURCHASED ENTREES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO OPERATE THIS WAY THROUGHOUT 2021, EXPANDING THEIR PRODUCTION TO UP TO 12,500 MEALS PER MONTH. IN 2021 119,050 MEALS WERE SERVED TO 91,654 ADULTS, 2,913 ELDERLY, AND 24,483 CHILDREN.

FOOD PANTRY: EACH WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING, IN JANUARY 2021 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2021, GROCERIES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO CLIENTS, WHO ARE PRIMARILY SINGLE MOTHERS, FAMILIES, ELDERLY AND THE HOMELESS. ALL RECIPIENTS MEET THE FEDERAL INCOME GUIDELINES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD ASSISTANCE AND ARE REGISTERED WITH CARITAS PC AS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PANTRY ITEMS ONCE A MONTH. THE PANDEMIC CAUSED THE ORGANIZATION TO SHUT DOWN THEIR COMMUNITY DINING ROOM, THEREFORE THEY NO LONGER HAD A PLACE TO SET UP THEIR FOOD PANTRY. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN OPERATING WEEKLY POP-UP PANTRIES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT PORT CHESTER, WHILE PROVIDING FOOD TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE CARVER CENTER FOR THEIR OUTDOOR BAGGED DISTRIBUTIONS. THROUGHOUT 2021, THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERED FRESH PRODUCE AND OTHER PERISHABLE FOOD TO NEIGHBORHOOD SITES, SET UP TABLES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO SELECT WHAT THEY NEEDED. BECAUSE OF COVID, ALL REQUIREMENTS TO PRE-REGISTER FOR FOOD WERE DROPPED, ALLOWING ANYONE WITH A NEED FOR FOOD TO COME AS OFTEN AS THEY NEEDED.IN 2021 CARITAS PC PROVIDED GROCERIES TO 22,820 HOUSEHOLDS WHICH INCLUDED 76,571 INDIVIDUALS (FAMILIES WITH 33,220 ADULTS, 36,542 CHILDREN AND 6,809 ELDERLY).