Amityville food pantry renamed for late pastor, friend of the needy

When Town of Babylon residents visit a local food pantry, either to donate or reap the bounty of others’ generosity, they will be reminded of the commitment extended to those in need by a local pastor.

On Wednesday, the Babylon Food Pantry at 1 Commerce Blvd. in Amityville was renamed the Roy S. Kirton Circle of Love Food Pantry in memory of a man who lived his life dedicated to serving people in need.

The renaming took place a week before Kirton’s signature annual Thanksgiving Day food distribution event that feeds thousands of people.

“Dr. Kirton served the community for over 25 years and had a heart for the underserved, especially those with food insecurities,” said Terrance Daye, pastor of Christian Life Center Church in Amityville. “We honor him today for the excellence and service to others that he modeled to our community.”

Kirton, 71, of Amityville, died July 24 in Cary, North Carolina, after breathing difficulties and a fall exacerbated renal failure, his family said at the time. He had previously been pastor at the Circle of Love Ministry in Copiague and at one time headed the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville, a group of local ministers.

He could regularly be seen on site at the pantry helping to feed seniors, veterans and children, Daye said. Many times Kirton would arrive directly from four hours of dialysis.

Daye will now follow the lead of Kirton, a retired investment broker who would get help putting on the Thanksgiving event from public officials, Babylon Town as well as other churches and chefs.

Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer joked at Wednesday’s ceremony that in past years, if he had not yet sent his check for the Thanksgiving festivities, Kirton would let him know he was heading to Town Hall to pick it up.

“This is going to be a great tribute to him,” Schaffer said of the pantry renaming. “The tribute is going to be all of the families that we serve who are on that really, really desperate situation of not being able to give their kids a nutritious meal.”

Daye said the Thanksgiving food distribution event will kick off next week as it has for years.

“We’re proud to continue the tradition,” said Daye, who is preparing for this year’s holiday food distribution next Thursday.

Schaffer presented a check for $28,011.66 to Daye, who said the money would be used toward replacing the pantry’s 15-year-old freezer.

Schaffer said the funds were from the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CORRECTION: The former Babylon Food Pantry has been renamed the Roy S. Kirton Circle of Love Food Pantry. A previous version of this story was incorrect.