Church collects food donations for East End pantries

Stephanie Grodski of Riverhead understands what it’s like not to always have the money to keep the refrigerator filled with food.

“I work part-time and I have been looking for full-time work for over a year. I have to feed myself and two dogs and a cat. It’s hard.”

So Grodski, a member of the First Parish Church in Riverhead, said she was happy to volunteer for the food collections Sunday.

Since November, the church has collected 25 bags full of boxed and canned goods. Today’s collection brought in 83 pounds of fresh collards, kale, broccoli rabe and turnips from the Food Pantry Farm in East Hampton.

“We take canned and boxed foods but we also accept fresh vegetables too,” said church trustee Lisa Barrow.

Barrow said First Parish Church wanted to help in response to the many food pantries that are suffering on Long Island.

“We are a church and we wanted to help the community,” said Barrow. First Parish Seminary Pastor Michael Raj added, “It’s always good when people help each other. Ministry is all about helping others.”

The donations are distributed to local food pantries.

The collection days are Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. First Parish Church is located at 5627 Sound Ave. in Riverhead. There are baskets and boxes set up inside the foyer located on the east side entrance of the church to put the donations inside.

If you’re interested in making a donation, or for more information, call Pastor Dianne Rodriguez at 516-673-1231.