by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Area Church Association (HACA) Food Pantry, located at 26 John Street in Hoosick Falls is in need of volunteers. A volunteer is needed the third Wednesday evening of the month for stocking shelves, registering clients and filling grocery bags. Volunteers will be needed for the summer to bag groceries and make home deliveries. A group of volunteers will be needed for a one day spring clean up, washing windows, sweeping salt from the parking lot, etc. Substitute volunteers are always needed. Three or four new volunteers for just a few hours a week could ease the load on the volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to the Pantry now. To volunteer please call Dianne Hosterman at 686-5310.
Many Served
In 2010 the Food Pantry served 781 local individuals including 56 elderly, 256 children and 23 infants. All of these people had a real need for food to help them get by month to month. Many of them still require help and there are always new people in need of assistance. The Pantry is open Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to noon and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Non-Food Items Needed
Hosterman said the Pantry can always use nonperishable food items, but lately they have a need for personal hygiene items including soap, shampoo, deodorant and laundry detergent.
Taste Of Hoosick Planned
The Food Pantry is planning a second Taste of Hoosick event for Sunday, March 27, in the St. Mary’s Academy auditorium. Restaurants wanting to participate should contact Dianne at 686-5310. The first event, with lots of delicious food and fantastic silent auction items, was held at the Hoosick Falls Country Club in 2009. It was a huge success. The planning committee is hoping this second event will be as successful.
Tax Help Available
The HACA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at the Food Closet site is in the middle of tax season. They opened Saturday, February 5. “We had appointments for 11 people, but with walk-ins we did 17 returns,” said Dianne. “It was the smoothest opening we have had in seven years.” This year they have five preparers and five computers; one more of each than last year. “We are really looking to help families with children who are eligible for the Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit, but we tend to have more singles and seniors,” she added. To make an appointment for Thursday evening or Saturday, call 686-5310. The volunteers hope to do between 125 and 150 returns this year.
