Filling a Need at St. Camillus
By Katie Larkin
Over the years, the average person who struggles financially has relied on food pantries, such as those found at St. Rose of Lima, St. Mary Star of the Sea, St. Camillus, and the privately run pantry across from the Seaside Library, to adequately feed themselves and their loved ones. Starting in 2009, under the direction of the late Monsignor Richard Ahlemeyer and Jackie Robinson, St. Camillus created its first-ever pantry designed to address vulnerable residents’ need for food. From families to homeless individuals, this pantry works hard all year round to give everyone food security.
The need for this pantry has only increased in recent years due to skyrocketing prices of goods in supermarkets. People of all financial backgrounds now rely on pantries to keep up with their needs. Given this increase in demand, the St. Camillus pantry, now under the direction of Father James Rodriguez and Robinson, has taken new initiatives to address the needs of residents. Creating new partnerships with Stop & Shop, Key Food, and the Graybeards (a local non-profit), Robinson and Father Rodriguez are working around the clock to keep this pantry stocked with diverse, quality food. Pastas, canned goods, and many more items line the shelves waiting to put a smile on people’s faces.
One might view running a pantry as a simple endeavor, but to various volunteers, it is no walk in the park. “It may look easy to run a pantry, but it’s really not,” Robinson said. “Volunteers and I have to stay on top of deliveries, making sure the products arriving are in good condition. There’s tons of paperwork involved in the process so we can catalog how many people come each week and assess the number of food bags we need to make. We also have to stay in contact with one another all the time to make sure that we properly store our deliveries.” Robinson noted that the most critical aspect of running a pantry is keeping items in date and ensuring people don’t get expired goods. She is also working on new partnerships to branch out to other stores located throughout the Rockaway peninsula.
“It takes many hours of work to go through all of the donated items to make sure people are getting healthy food. We constantly have to work with donors to get items that sufficiently sustain the pantry. Efficiency is a priority while we are here, making sure everybody gets their fair share of food. Basically, we are doing what we think is best for the community,” said Patrick Larkin, who has been volunteering at St. Camillus for well over a year. “No person should ever go hungry.” Donna, another volunteer at the pantry, brings food bags to those who cannot get outside like the elderly and disabled, and gives out fresh produce whenever it arrives.
If you or someone you love is in need of food, come to the garage next to the St. Camillus Church at 99-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. there are volunteers ready and waiting to give out bags full of goodies. Make sure to bring ID, or provide names and addresses at the door, should you not have one. If you wish to help the pantry, either by making a food donation or by volunteering your time to make bags, reach out to the St. Camillus rectory at 718-634-8229 or stcstvparish@stcstv.com. You can also stop by the rectory Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
