LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Unadilla Food Pantry upon the occa-
sion of its designation as recipient of the 2016 Commitment to Community
Award by the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Unadilla Food Pantry upon the occasion of its designation as recipient
of the 2016 Commitment to Community Award by the Unadilla Chamber of
Commerce, to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Sunday, April 17,
2016, at the Unadilla First United Methodist Church, Unadilla, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Unadilla Community Food Pantry was established in the
1970s by a selfless group of Unadilla-based ministers; in its early
days, the pantry fed roughly 20 families; today, the food pantry has
grown to be an incorporated organization serving between 100 and 200
area families per month; and
WHEREAS, The Unadilla Community Food Pantry is open on Monday, Friday,
and Saturday from 11:00-12:30 to families living in the 13849 zip code;
and
WHEREAS, Over the past five years, the number of families served has
risen by 20 percent, resulting in a move from the rear quarters of the
Unadilla First Methodist Church to the first floor of the neighboring
parsonage; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York,
the Unadilla Community Food Pantry is able to purchase food for 16 cents
per pound, maximizing the reach of every dollar donated; every month,
the pantry purchases an average of 5,000 pounds of food; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, free USDA food is available to the Unadilla
Food Pantry, and it gladly accepts donations from food drives, stores
like the Great American and area farmers who have seasonal excess
produce to share; and
WHEREAS, Several of the 27 dedicated pantry volunteers make bimonthly
trips to Oneonta, New York, on food retrieval runs; Huff's Ice Cream
provides a driver and truck for one of those two trips, and people who
own pickup trucks accomplish the other; in addition, a weekly trip is
also made to St. Mary's in Oneonta where things like bread, produce and
other foodstuffs from Oneonta merchants are picked up; and
WHEREAS, The Unadilla Community Food Pantry receives funding from
grants, donations and fundraising initiatives in and around the communi-
ty; together with the food purchased and donated, clients may visit the
pantry once a month and receive enough food to last for three days,
taking into consideration the number of people in a given household; and
WHEREAS, At the helm of this evolving operation are co-Directors Clau-
dia Jenkins and Joann Rickard; Claudia, a retired social studies teacher
of more than 30 years in the Sidney district, began serving the pantry
in 2011; Joann has held numerous positions within her community includ-
ing substitute teacher, RIF coordinator, PTO officer, Cub Scout den
leader, Sunday School teacher and childcare provider; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Jenkins and Joann Rickard are assisted by Gloria
Hall, who holds the title of Treasurer, Howard Hall serves as volunteer
coordinator, and Bob Conley is in charge of inventory control; other

volunteers serve clients, pick up food deliveries, unload deliveries,
stock shelves, and clean; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Unadilla Food Pantry upon the occassion of its designation as
recipient of the 2016 Commitment to Community Award by the Unadilla
Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Unadilla Food Pantry.