By Sally Stang, Packet Media Group
This is the time of year when we think more often about giving to charities, but the truth is that the needs of the poor are great at all times of the year, not just the holiday season.
In the New Hope-Lambertville area, well known for its high-end living and fine dining, there is a growing gap between those who are flourishing and those who are just getting by.
As in years past, the numbers are larger for the elderly on fixed incomes, the unemployed and Latino immigrants. However, a needy person might even be someone who works full-time and earns more than a minimum wage. The facts are that the cost of living has been racing ahead of people’s paychecks for many years now.
A local resource for helping those in need is the Lambertville Food Pantry, which serves residents of both Lambertville and New Hope. The Delaware Valley Interfaith Council has operated the pantry since 1981. It now serves between 1000 to 1200 visitors each month.
“In particular,” said Joe McGrath, coordinator of the pantry, “The number of Latino clients is a steadily rising number.“ This points to the irony that many of the people working in the area’s fine restaurants are not able to afford food for their own tables.
An important part of the pantry is the staff of DVIC volunteers. The staff members, who get paid nothing, stock shelves when the food arrives, greet visitors and help them make their food selections.
Also, volunteers pick up surplus food from local supermarkets, like Giant and ShopRite — food that would otherwise be thrown away. Grocery stores must adhere to strict guidelines about rotating items off of their shelves even though the items are completely safe and nutritious. The pantry follows USDA guidelines in offering consistently safe food.
Volunteers at the pantry hear many stories of hardship and need, but are also touched by the bravery and optimism of their clients.
“We have a client, a sweet woman who has a mental illness, who sleeps in her car“, said pantry volunteer, Evelyn Inoue. “She won’t take any refrigerated item or anything that needs cooking.“
She also mentions a local woman who lived an affluent lifestyle, until her husband, a graduate from an Ivy League school, lost his job. Struggling to make it on unemployment alone, they were slipping through the cracks.
Ms. Inoue continued, “The woman was so embarrassed to come to the pantry, but then she was relieved to find smiling, nonjudgmental people to greet her. We have some of the nicest people working here. I’ve met some of my closest friends here at the pantry.”
To meet the area’s needs, the food pantry relies on many sources for food, but the primary source is Norwescap, a regional food bank located in Phillipsburg. It supplies food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. in the counties of northwest New Jersey.
“Norwescap does not charge us for the food itself, but for shipping and handling only. We traditionally don’t buy much other food, however recently Norwescap has been unable to supply us with some staples that they usually offer, and which we depend on, such as chicken, milk, rice and eggs,” explained Mr. McGrath. “When this is the case, we must draw on our limited funds to buy these staples at local supermarkets.”
McGrath said: “We always appreciate the food donations! Those contributions from individuals, businesses and food drives offer some nice surprises, a bit of variety and supplement our Norwescap orders. Collectively these donations now are approaching 50 percent of the food we offer our clients.”
Ms. Inoue added “One example of a surprise — we had a client who noticed a tube of toothpaste for sensitive teeth on our shelf. She really needed it, but couldn’t afford the extra expense of the special toothpaste, so when she found it in the food pantry, she was elated!”
The volunteer also pointed out the donations of special foods. “People on special diets for health reasons — and many of our clients have health issues — are thrilled when they find low-sodium, organic, gluten-free items and so on.”
There is an ongoing need for certain items: toilet paper, cereal, oatmeal, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, canned fruit, fruit juice, tomato sauce (glass), diapers, deodorant, and black beans.
If you are in need of help or struggling to make ends meet every week, you might not realize that you may qualify to use the food pantry. Mr. McGrath said: “Sorting out the eligibility qualifications can be a bit confusing. Each person’s situation is unique and there are options that can be discussed. Give me a call to talk about your situation.“
Send donations for the food pantry to D.V.I.C., P.O. Box 705, Lambertville, 08530.
For more information, call Mr. McGrath at 609-638-7888.
The Lambertville Food Pantry is located behind St. John’s Catholic Church on Bridge Street. Hours are Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – noon.

