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LOWVILLE — A free luncheon is planned next week to celebrate community support for the Lowville Food Pantry in a recent online voting contest, win or lose.
“What we did as a small community to raise $25,000 simply by voting online versus large cities is amazing,” local State Farm agent Thomas J. Spaulding said. “I hope everyone can make it on Sept. 30 for this community luncheon celebration.”
The meal, to include potato and chicken noodle soup, beef stew and chili, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Lowville American Legion post, 5383 Dayan St. It is being sponsored by Fidelis Care, with any additional expenses to be covered by the local Legion.
The local food pantry’s building rehabilitation project was selected as one of 200 finalists in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program, and people from the local community and beyond were asked to support the project by voting online from Aug. 16 to 25. People could cast up to 10 votes each day and the top 40 vote-getters will each receive $25,000.
Winners will not be officially announced until Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 28. However, the Lowville Food Pantry appears to be in good shape to receive the funding boost.
According to a Neighborhood Assist leaderboard, the local project remained within the top 40 throughout the first nine days of the 10-day contest. The highest ranking was 14th position, and it stood securely in 18th place when the online leaderboard was shut down 24 hours before the end of voting, Mr. Spaulding said.
The Lowville Food Pantry, which currently leases a 2,800-square-foot building at 7646 Forest Ave., last year secured the former AMF mill property at 5502 Trinity Ave. from the bowling pin manufacturer in hopes of ultimately redeveloping it to house a more spacious pantry and cover other community needs.
If the pantry finishes in the top 40, the money will be used to rehabilitate an old two-story building at the rear of the property that is being used by the Lewis County Christmas Sharing and Santa for Seniors programs, as well as for excess food storage and some meetings. Plans are to switch the furnace from oil to natural gas to save money on heating, change the building from three-phase industrial to commercial power to reduce electricity costs, replace the front door, add storm windows and install new insulation.
The Lewis County Habitat for Humanity group also plans to hold a series of work days, starting Sept. 30, to assist with the renovation project.
Legion Commander Lee Hinkleman said meals will be delivered to volunteers working at the site, as well as to homebound veterans.
“The American Legion is extremely supportive of community events such as this and considers it an honor to host this dinner,” he said.
Mr. Spaulding said he sees the pantry project as the beginning of a long-term plan for his agency to find new ways to give back to the community.
“I encourage anyone with an idea to come see me,” he said. “I love to be creative, and maybe we can work together on the next project. Great things are happening in Lewis County, and together we can make it even greater.”
