St. Paul’s Episcopal Church recently held a ribbon cutting for their reopening of the food pantry at 31 Rider Avenue in Patchogue on Monday, Sept. 30. The event was a celebration of the essential service for those in need within the community. The pantry is in collaboration with the Congregational Church of Patchogue and RISE Life Services.

“It is a true honor and privilege to have you all join us here to celebrate the ribbon cutting of our new food pantry space that reopened at the beginning of the summer,” said Priest in Charge, The Rev. James Reiss. 

In attendance was Dave Kennedy from the chamber of commerce, village trustees Tom Ferb and Joseph Keyes, Harold Trabold from Patchogue-Medford Library, and county Legis. Dominick Thorne, as well as a representative from Sen. Dean Murry’s office, along with many other donors.

For about 25 years, the food pantry at the church has operated out of two small closets. According to Fr. Reiss, former directors Sharon Minogue and Judy Celauro and a team of volunteers came in every Wednesday to pack bags and Thursdays to help serve those in need.

“In 95-degree heat without air conditioning in this hall, and froze in the cold months as they packaged and distributed bags of food to those in need. Throughout COVID, they supported so many. Thank you all who supported this ministry by way of food donations or volunteering,” he said.

Post-COVID, the church’s numbers grew into the triple digits. On average, they now feed between 160 to 180 families weekly. With this new dedicated space, the church volunteers will be able to have a permanent setup location that opens twice a week. 

The food pantry, now under the leadership of Diane Butler, will be open Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2p.m., in concert with the Patchogue Neighbors’ Soup Kitchen and the Shower Truck ministry, along with the thrift shop. 

“This allows for one-stop shopping for those in need, for those who cannot make it to the church multiple times a week,” Reiss said. “This is a remarkable day for Saint Paul’s, and our community; today is about thanking and naming our ministry partners that have made this possible.”

To make it possible, the church received an $11,000 grant from Episcopal Ministries, the financial outreach arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. The money allowed them to transform the former Sunday School classroom into a food pantry with shelving, refrigerators, freezers, new flooring, and an air conditioner to keep the space cool. 

Additionally, Congregational Church of Patchogue pastor Rev. Dwight Wolter helped get the new pantry started by donating 55 boxes of canned food and a check of $10,000 earmarked specifically for buying food for those in need when donations run short. Recently, RISE Life Services also began serving the food pantry with individuals assisting, alongside church and community volunteers, in distributing food weekly.

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church has been in the Patchogue community for over 180 years.