To the editor:

In 1979, while eating dinner with her family, Mary Ellen Keith found herself thinking of those nearby who might not have a meal on the table, leading her to start a modest food shelf out of her own home. Over the years, the Vermontville Food Pantry formed and eventually found a permanent home in the early 2000s. What did not change was the Keith family’s commitment. Along with countless other dedicated volunteers, and key donors, Vermontville Food Pantry became an important community hub.

In December, many converging factors led to the difficult decision to permanently close the pantry, including aging facilities and volunteer base, changes in food availability and funding, and shifting town demographics that decreased the number of pantry patrons. While the physical location is closing, the tight-knight community spirit that buoyed the pantry is more alive than ever.

Over its 50-year history, the pantry has taken many shapes to respond to community needs. During the 1998 ice storm, the pantry was one of the only ways to keep people fed. While the local fire department hosted breakfast, the pantry served lunch and dinner, with locals and volunteers alike “becoming family.” During the coronavirus pandemic, the pantry again had to pivot quickly. Within a week, they changed to a drive-through pick-up system. Born out of necessity, the change was unexpectedly positive, saving time for volunteers and patrons. Beyond food, the pantry has always acted as a community resource — helping people to budget and pay bills or remember to take their medications, and reaching out in hard times.

One of the keys to the pantry’s success was the judgement-free and proactive approach of the volunteers. In early 2000, a local single mother of two was clearly struggling to make ends meet. A pantry volunteer invited her over for dinner and sent her home with a box of food from the pantry. When the mom asked what she owed for the box, the volunteer simply responded, “Nothing at all, but when you’re able, pay it forward.” That simple kindness stuck with her over the years. More than a decade later, and in a more stable position, that mom returned to the pantry to give her thanks. She commented, “I’m not sure how I would have made it. But now that I have, I have not forgotten to pay it forward, and to have my girls pay it forward whenever they can.”

A food pantry is only a building — its heart has always been the people within its walls. As the community of Vermontville looks to the future, we carry forward lessons learned over 50 years: listen to your community members, treat them with respect and always try to make it work.

If you are in need of food assistance, the Saranac Lake Interfaith Food Pantry is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Sara Besaw

Vermontville