Donations to the Cooperstown Food Pantry will be Doubled through the End of the Year

[November 26, 2024] More people are requesting food from the Cooperstown Food Pantry. “There’s increased need for the Food Pantry as people face high prices for housing, food, and childcare, and with the coming winter heating costs” explains Will Kleffner, executive director of the Pantry, which serves food insecure people in Otsego County.

For all donations made to the Food Pantry through the end of 2024, the Scriven Foundation is providing a match of up to $10,000, and an anonymous donor will match an additional $5,000 on top of that, making a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $15,000.

“The timing of the match from the Scriven Foundation and the donor couldn’t be better for the Pantry and the families we serve,” said Kleffner. Otsego County neighbors in need can receive a monthly distribution of food, which includes fresh produce, frozen meat, and fresh dairy.

He said the Pantry purchases food from Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham, where they can get $10 worth of food for each $1 spent. “That is why cash donations help us the most,” says Kleffner.

So far in 2024 has served an average of 634 people per month, a 35 percent increase over 2023. He noted that 13 percent of Otsego County residents live below the federally established poverty level and that 43 percent of K-12 students receive subsidized school lunches. The Pantry serves all of Otsego County.

People who would like to support the work of the Food Pantry can donate via PayPal on the website, cooperstownfoodpantry.org, or mail a check to the Cooperstown Food Pantry at 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. The Food Pantry, now in its 46h year, is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

The Cooperstown Food Pantry is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursdays from 1 pm to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to noon. People in need of food assistance should call the Pantry at 607/547-8902 to place an order and arrange a time to pick up.