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Date: 11/11/2020
SOUTHAMPTON – Thanksgiving is nearing and the First Congregational Church of Southampton has already started to prepare to make sure that families can enjoy a meal.
Candice Iwanicki who runs the food pantry with her husband Mike Iwanicki said to make sure that they have enough food for Thanksgiving meals, they asked people to sign up.
“We used the gift cards and cash donations that people have given us to fund Thanksgiving and we will be able to fund Christmas also,” Iwanicki said.
She told Reminder Publishing that they will provide the fixings for dinner.
On Nov. 14, families will pick out what they would like for a dessert. On Nov. 21, the pantry will have an abbreviated pantry to bring out the frozen turkeys and a prepared bag with mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and vegetables.
Iwanicki said that at the beginning of the pandemic, the number of people in need went down because they were staying home.
However, that did not stop donations from coming in, she said. Some have had food dropped off and checks and gift cards have been received at an “amazing” rate. Some have donated cash donations more than once.
“We received donations from people who no longer live in town. During the summer my neighbor organized a drive of sorts. I would let her know what we needed, and it would be delivered to us,” she said.
For almost three months the pantry prepared stable bags for people. Candy said she made a short shopping list for residents, they would circle what they wanted and make notes so that the pantry could supply their specific needs.
She shared that she was also mindful of what is not covered by SNAP benefits like soap products. She made laundry soap for the residents and always had dish soap and bar soap.
Iwanicki said the pantry is sponsored by the church but it is not a religious entity and wants people to understand the separation.
The pantry is also working with the Friends of the Southampton Council on Aging (FOSCOA) for the first time to offer an additional food pantry opportunity.
The church and FOSCOA will have 50 grab-and-go bags for senior citizens and veterans.
“Since the Town Hall and Senior Center has been closed to the public since March 13, we have not been able to have our monthly FOSCOA Friday meals,” said Director of Senior Center Joan Linnehan.
Meals can be picked up at the church on Nov. 12 and 18.