Shalom Food Pantry Volunteers Joe Bierman, Lauren Finkle and Susie Caplan prepare to deliver needed groceries to community members.
By CHANIE SIMON
Codirector of the Shalom Food Pantry
The calls don’t stop. Every week, the Shalom Food Pantry receives a steady stream of referrals and requests from families across the region that need help putting food on the table. Week after week, without fail, volunteers are needed to sort, pack, and deliver — because the need is immediate.
The work is hands-on and straightforward, but it carries enormous weight. For seniors and families facing financial strain, these deliveries create a sense of stability and relief. This support is particularly vital for people with disabilities who cannot easily shop on their own and depend on the food pantry to bridge that gap.
Volunteer Caryn Halle has seen this firsthand: It’s my small way of giving back to the community. For many of these people, it’s the basics they need regularly — and often some little extra surprise that they would never buy for themselves. For a lot of them, it’s also a welfare check — having someone they see on a regular basis with whom they can chat, and who they know cares about them and always has a few minutes just for them. I get to greet people in their native tongues, be it Russian, Arabic, Chinese, or English, and know that in that moment, I’m a good moment in their day — and they in mine.
Passover brings the biggest push of the year. The pantry doubles the number of recipients it serves, and the cost of purchasing holiday foods that aren’t donated causes expenses to rise exponentially. The manpower and financial support required in the weeks leading up to the holiday reach their highest levels — and every year, it is the community that rises to meet it, through volunteering, donating, and showing up when it matters most.
Shalom Food Pantry Volunteer Ellen Weinstein with a bag of supplies for those facing financial strain.
The upcoming Passover distribution on March 24 and 25 is one of the most meaningful of the year. It requires additional preparation, special holiday foods, and a larger team to ensure the expanded number of families are served with care. Volunteers who join this effort become part of something deeply communal — helping households celebrate the holiday with comfort and dignity.
For many volunteers, the experience becomes something far greater than the task itself.
Sharon Mosden, who delivers groceries to older adults in the Albany community regularly, describes it this way: I’m often overwhelmed by how meaningful small moments can be. It is never just about dropping off a bag of food. It’s the way a recipient’s face brightens when they open the door — the relief in knowing they are not forgotten. Occasionally a recipient might chat for a minute, but more often it’s a warm smile or a heartfelt thank you. Regardless of any language limitations, every interaction carries a sense of connection and, most importantly, dignity. I walk away feeling grateful for the chance to make someone’s day a little easier — and in return, it has given me purpose, perspective, and the chance to show my friends and children what it means to show up for others.
Whether someone can volunteer for one shift or hopes to join more regularly, every helping hand strengthens the pantry’s ability to serve. Each shift means more families reached, smoother distribution days, and a network of support that grows stronger with every person who joins.
For those looking for a meaningful way to make a local difference, the Shalom Food Pantry offers something direct, fulfilling, and real. Those wishing to sign up and volunteer may do so at www.shalomfoodpantry.com/volunteer.
Supporting the pantry financially — especially as Passover costs rise— is also an option. Donations may be made at www.shalomfoodpantry.com/donate.
Chanie@ShalomFoodPantry.com can provide details
