Editor's Note: As we pause to celebrate the holidays and reflect on the year, we are shining fresh light this week on some of the brightest good news stories of 2018. The stories have been updated to include new developments since their original publication. The following is an update of a story that was first published in the May 12 edition of The Daily Gazette. The original story is included below the update.
More than half a year after its creation, a small food pantry at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park is proving popular with locals, according to church officials.
The pantry was built in May by Boy Scout Jakob Quail, as his Eagle Scout project.
On the first Sunday of each month, the church congregation donates to the food pantry at CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services, as well as other local food pantries.
Food sharing on Sundays at the church has gone on for many years, said Pastor Jeff Silvernail, but parishioners have embraced the new food pantry as a way to immediately meet the needs of community members.
"The folks here are really happy. They found a niche, and they really enjoy doing it," he said.
Food pantries often have strict rules about food distribution, and the food pantry was a solution to getting faster relief to the hungry. The only other similar small food pantry that Silvernail is aware of is located in Rensselaer.
"There's definitely more coming in now. The volume has increased significantly," Silvernail said.
The pantry is restocked an average of four times a week, Silvernail said. On Monday, it was empty after the holidays, and Silvernail was preparing to restock it before the day was over.
The small pantry, which is kept full of non-perishable foods, is a quick option for those facing food emergencies -- whether that's because they can't get to a store or they just don't have the money to buy food.
"Anyone who needs food is welcome to come and take it. This is for when you need something for a meal, and you don't know what else to do. That's what it's designed for," Silvermail said.
Donors can leave non-perishable items in the pantry. Donations brought during church business hours can be left in the church office.
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CLIFTON PARK — A local church is now providing a little extra for those in need.
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Northcrest Drive in Clifton Park recently unveiled its brand new Little Food Pantry, a small case located on the church’s property that contains non-perishable food items, such as soups and cereals.
It is restocked on a regular basis via donations.
The pantry was created by Boy Scout Jakob Quail as his Eagle Scout project and as a part of obtaining his Citizenship in the Community Merit badge.
On the first Sunday of each month, the church congregation donates to the food pantry at CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services, as well as other local food pantries, said Melanie Edwards, the parish administrator at the church.
However, Edwards pointed out that food pantries often have strict rules regarding food distribution, so the church and Quail came up with the idea of providing people with faster relief.
“Sometimes there’s more of a need,” she said.
The food pantry at the church is open to everyone 24 hours a day year-round, Edwards said.
The pantry will soon have a solar fan installed to keep the container from becoming too hot in the summer, as well as a cover that will protect it from the sun.
