By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
ONEONTA "" Food needs of area residents were the main course at a meeting Thursday organized by the Hunger Task Force.
About 30 volunteers, clergy, food pantry representatives and other agency officials met in the Great Hall of St. James' Episcopal Church on Elm Street to identify existing programs, gaps and other resources to increase supplies and access to food.
Organizers said they were pleased with Thursday's turnout.
``We're excited about what can happen from today,'' said the Rev. Ken Hunter of St. James' Church.
Services and resources are changing as needs grow because of the economy, organizers said.
The Rev. Cynthia L. Walton-Leavitt, pastor of First United Presbyterian in Oneonta, said the goal of the meeting and further efforts is to create a network of organizations, churches and community members to collaborate and promote participation. A seasonal focus may be on community gardens in the summer, the CROP Walk fundraiser in the fall, the Souper Bowl fundraiser in winter and a concert in the spring.
The Hunger Task Force will meet next at the Salvation Army on River Street at 4 p.m. April 13.
The Oneonta Hunger Benefit Concert this year will be at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., in Oneonta at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 25. The lineup will feature musical groups Redeeming Love, Just Throw Money, Sweet Adelines, Roundhouse Rockers and the Catskill Chamber Singers.
Walton-Leavitt told the gathering she heard that the post office would not be collecting food. The Hunger Task Force participants and volunteers can help identify other resources and methods to fill the gap, she said.
Janice Hinkley, a member of the Hunger Task Force that is affiliated with St. Mary's Church, said the church's food pantry helped about 6,000 people last year. More first-time recipients are seeking help, she said, and others are picking up food more often. The Hunger Task Force started about two years ago, Hinkley said, and presented a benefit concert last year.
Organizations and individuals interested in working with the task force, or obtaining more information about the April concert, may call Hinkley at St. Mary's Church at 432-3920, ext. 212.
The meeting furthered connections among groups collecting and distributing nonperishable and fresh foods. Cooperative efforts reviewed Thursday included:
"¢ Otsego County Community Connections Food Bank won't have an employee working regularly after March 31. However, the building, including its walk-in freezer and cooler space, will be available to food-pantry groups for storage. The employee had been collecting and distributing day-old goods from local stores, and area groups will take over that service. Its Extra Meals program that sold food from a regional food bank will be discontinued, officials said, and recently between 50 and 75 recipients each month had benefited.
"¢ Angelfood Ministries representatives said the service could help those recipients helped by the Extra Meals program.
Local Angelfood organizer George Novellano said more participants are sought for the program, which sells food at reduced costs. No income restrictions exist to participate, he said, and a variety of selections are available at costs ranging from $20 to $35.
Novellano said drop-offs are in surrounding communities, but greater participation is needed to arrange deliveries in Oneonta.
Chris Cleveland, also an Angelfood organizer, said a box that cost $30 provided food that would cost more than $60 at a grocery store. He said details about the program are available at www.angelfoodoneonta.com.
"¢ Identifying space for community gardens, and a way to collect and distribute extra produce donated by area farmers and gardeners.
