In March of 2020, when so much uncertainty was underway with COVID-19, the Wayne County Community Foundation established what was then called the Emergency Food Relief Fund in partnership with the …
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In March of 2020, when so much uncertainty was underway with COVID-19, the Wayne County Community Foundation established what was then called the Emergency Food Relief Fund in partnership with the Wayne County Commissioners and Wayne County Food Pantry. This fund soon raised over $400,000 from generous donors, businesses and foundations to purchase food for Wayne County neighbors in need.
Local producers were also struggling to sell products and make ends meet during that time. The new fund allowed for food purchases of produce, eggs and meat to be made from farms in Wayne County. This new fund was able to bring food products into the homes of families who had lost work while also generating revenue for our area’s agricultural businesses.
Over the months that followed, thousands of dollars’ worth of products were distributed in the community thanks to many dedicated volunteers and staff at the local pantries, schools and nonprofit partners. This fund created new relationships within the Wayne County Pantry Program. Community connections with local farmers and nonprofits were strengthened. This fund, to date, has been supported by over 580 individuals, businesses and foundations, totalling approximately $600,000 in donations and counting.
In 2022, we were all working to build a new normal while keeping some of the community-supported good that had happened during 2020 and 2021. One of the positive things that developed during the pandemic was a new set of relationships with Wayne County farmers and the county’s food pantry program. A name change to the Farms to Families Fund helped reflect these new relationships and address this need.
The monthly costs of the pantry program have increased from pre-pandemic levels, alongside the number of families accessing the pantries. To address this need and thanks to state/local funders, the Wayne County Pantry Program has made significant investments to improve their storage and refrigeration capacity. Offering farm-fresh products is a priority we’re happy to share and support. The cost of these purchases can range upwards of $5,000 a month. Donations into this fund supports local people, local businesses and local quality of life. Continuing to help farmers by purchasing local products AND helping families access fresh, local products is a win for everybody.
The success of this fund over the past five years has been due to hundreds of community members investing not only their financial assets but also their time and connections toward a shared goal of feeding our community and supporting the local agricultural economy. The Wayne County Community Foundation’s role has been to help connect regional funders to this cause and be a fiscal sponsor for grant awards.
If you’re interested in supporting the Farms to Families Fund, you can do so by making a secure, tax-deductible donation at waynefoundation.org or by coming out to a fundraiser with live music and multiple raffles on February 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Runaway Train Brewery in downtown Honesdale. The event is sponsored by the Pike/Wayne Association of Realtors, Bold Gold Media Group, Runaway Train Brewery and the Wayne County Food Pantry
Ryanne Jennings is president and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation.
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