ANNUAL REPORT

THE ISLAND FOOD PANTRY 2008-2009 SEASON REPORT
P.O. Box 1874, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 508-693-4764

Another record year! A record of 174 visits in one week last March, and a record income of $81,235 and a record of food expenditures of $70,096.

Rev. Helen Oliver inaugurated the Island Food Pantry as an outreach program of Christ United Methodist Church in 1981. In 29 years, it has expanded from a one-person effort to a ministry including over 60 volunteers. The Pantry has been supported by all the faith communities on the island, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger, by islanders, schools, businesses, summer visitors and organizations. The Island Club Card members provided $3,003. The Capawock Theater shows free films regularly for food pantry contributions. Pyewacket's provides a flea market table for the pantry. It is a wonderful and effective effort of cooperation and caring. We receive no government food or funds.

Our income has increased by $17,816 over last year. We increased our monthly Food card distribution from $20 to $25 to each family. We spent $13,338 more on food than last year. Seven out of the past twelve years, we spent more than we have received. Our Endowment Fund covered the shortages. These funds were given in memory of Kevin Kennedy, Daniel Alisio and Sayan Kasem. Our goal is to maintain the original gift and use the growth in the endowment for income shortages or special projects as we did in making our entryway handicapped accessible. Hopefully, others will include the Island Food Pantry in their wills so we might meet future difficult periods for our island neighbors.

In our efforts to communicate to both English and Portuguese speaking friends, we maintain a web site: <islandfoodpantry.org> and have a translator most days we are open.

Visits to the Pantry have increased this year from 2050 to 2650 visits. We assisted 510 families representing at least 960 people on the Vineyard including at least 130 children. In addition, Granola bars were provided to all the public schools schools for breakfast supplements.

Of the 510 families, 188 came only once or twice (last year 200) and 203 came 6 or more times (last year 186). Last year 239 said they were unemployed; this year 214 stated they were without employment. 248 gave no answer regarding employment. Last year we averaged 81 visits a week; this year we averaged 102 visits a week.

Persons can come to the Pantry once every two weeks on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 2-4 P.M. from mid October to mid April. Emergencies are responded to throughout the year when people call the Pantry number.

The Pantry has no paid staff. All gifts provide food for the island community. A contribution is made to the Church to help with the cost of heat, light and garbage removal. We have an advisory board and our books are audited each year. For the wonderful cooperation of the Church and the community, I am sincerely thankful. Best of all, our volunteers have worked hard and kept a positive attitude. I am grateful to be a part of such a caring community.

Armen Hanjian, Coordinator
April 30, 2010