Warwick, NY - The Coronavirus pandemic has changed everyone’s life, and no one knows when things will return to normal. The uncertainty leaves many people feeling depressed, frightened, and helpless. Businesses have had to close, lay off workers, or cut their hours, reducing workers’ ability to care for themselves and their families.

Some of our neighbors who struggle to make ends meet may now have to choose between buying food or medicine. Or having to decide who gets those necessities when there are only enough supplies to take care of some, but not all, family members. These families have relied on local food pantries long before this pandemic, which will only increase the numbers of people who need help.

Our local food pantries are under pressure to meet the demands created by the coronavirus. The Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island, and Warwick food pantries depend upon volunteers – usually seniors - who are one of the groups at a higher risk of catching the virus. Pantry organizers are working to revise operating procedures to protect both vulnerable volunteers and their clients in order to minimize the spread of the virus.

Food distribution channels have been interrupted by the pandemic, too, forcing pantry organizers to travel farther and pay more for food and other essentials that they need to buy and distribute to their clients. No one can predict the scope and length of this pandemic, and given the uncertainty, we anticipate an increase in the number of individuals and families that, for the first time, will need to rely on a food pantry.

If you can, we ask that you please help the food pantries help our community by making a monetary donation today. Especially at this time, because of the need to limit physical contact, monetary donations are more valuable to the pantries than food donations. If you can, pledge to make a recurring donation every month, at least for the next three months. Visit the websites below to make your donation. We’re all in this together.

The Florida Community Food Pantry is located next to the First Presbyterian Church of Florida at 9 Glenmere Ave, Florida, NY 10921. The pantry is open every Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM for Florida Residents. The pantry also serves residents from Warwick, Chester, Pine Island and Goshen during the weeks when their local pantry is closed. Contribute online at Florida Community Food Pantry, or send contributions to P.O. Box 94, Florida, NY 10921. Visit and like on Facebook: @FloridaCommunityFoodPantry
The Greenwood Lake Food Pantry is located at 41 Windermere Avenue (corner of Wright Street), Greenwood Lake, NY 10925, behind the Holy Rosary church. Enter the pantry at the basement level from the rear parking lot. The pantry is open every Saturday from 9 AM – 12 pm. Send contributions to P.O. Box 1805, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.
The Pine Island Food Pantry is located at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 70 Little York Rd.,Warwick, NY 10990. The pantry is open the fourth Sunday of every month, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Contribute online at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry or send contributions to 70 Little York Rd., Warwick, NY 10990.
The Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry is located in the Warwick United Methodist Church, 135 Forester Avenue, Warwick NY 10990. The pantry is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12 PM, as well as on Sunday, from 7:30 AM to shortly after 12 PM. Contribute online at Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry or send contributions to The Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry, 135 Forester Avenue, Warwick NY 10990.

Community2gether, Inc. (C2g), is a 501(c)(3) organization that connects & engages people to gather and implement ideas to improve our Town. C2g has distinguished itself over the last three decades as an incubator of new community organizations, providing them with services such as banking, insurance and tax-deductible status. The C2g Board has conducted visioning sessions to get the fullest possible input from the community regarding its needs and desires. In the coming years, C2g is poised to take on a leadership role in enhancing the growth and success of its existing organizations, supporting them with resources they identify, and strengthening the synergies among them so that they nourish one another.