Renacer Food Pantry- a collaboration
Reunite Migrant Families and Centro Cristiano Renacer have collaborated together with Dutchess Outreach to open a bi-weekly food pantry at the church to provide fresh, healthy and culturally appropriate food to food insecure individuals and families. Our pantry is open to all, but we cater specifically to vulnerable immigrants who are food insecure. We are located in the city of Poughkeepsie and primarily serve city residents. We provide farm fresh produce, herbs such as cilantro, maseca flour, rice, beans, oil, milk and eggs. People “shop” for the items they want; so there is no waste. We deliver to those unable or afraid to come in person. We are open from 4-6 pm to accommodate people not able to get to daytime pantries. Spanish speaking members of the church work together with RMF to welcome folks to the pantry. This is an all volunteer run operation. Our first distribution served 120 families and the second and third one served about 150 families each time averaging about 4 people per family group. We keep accurate records of number of families served as well as the number of people in each family. We shop frugally and continue to look for free avenues for healthy foods as well.