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Feeding Fredonia Challenge kicks off Oct. 9

‘Such a gift’

Submitted photo Representatives of the Feeding Fredonia Challenge pose with the Fredonia Board of Trustees. From left are Trustees David Bird, Jon Espersen and Michelle Twichell, Feeding Fredonia’s Peggy Tiffany and David Tiffany, and Trustees James Lynden and Nicole Siracuse.

One of the largest annual events to help members of the community in need is ready to start up once again.

The annual Feeding Fredonia Challenge will take place from Oct. 9 to 21. Businesses and offices in Fredonia will be participating to collect nonperishable food for the Fredonia Food Pantry, organized and collected by the Fredonia Presbyterian Church.

“I have been in Fredonia for a year, and one of the reasons that I moved here was because of the way this church and this community takes care of its own people,” said Rev. Holly Clark-Porter of Fredonia Presbyterian Church.

This annual event is the major offering of the year to support the year-round food pantry in Fredonia. “It’s a simple idea — collect food to be able to pass out food to people in need,” said Clark-Porter.

Residents are encouraged to purchase nonperishable items, such as pasta and pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, canned meats such as tuna and chicken, and other similar items to then take them into participating Fredonia businesses to donate.

Last year, the need for food was greater than expected, which necessitated supplemental efforts from the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry to keep the pantry stocked throughout the year. “This drive is to help supply us for as long as possible without worry,” said Clark-Porter.

As a relatively new member of the Fredonia community, Clark-Porter has been very impressed in her time here by the community response to help those in need.

“It blows my mind how every week when I walk into the church, there is food,” said Clark-Porter.

“We keep our vestibule open for that purpose, for people to drop off food, and there’s always food.” Clark-Porter also noted how the Westfield Veterinary Hospital once dropped off 500 pounds of food as a donation.

Clark-Porter emphasized that while the Fredonia Presbyterian Church is heavily involved with the event, anyone with a desire to help is welcomed with open arms.

“Yes, we’re a church … but we don’t expect anyone else to be doing this for any other reason than to help feed people,” Clark-Porter said. “If you are religious or not, we know there are so many people who want to be a part of feeding people, and that is such a gift.”

More information, including the businesses and offices participating as drop-off sites during the Feeding Fredonia Challenge, can be found online at fredoniapres.org

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