THE HAMILTON FOOD CUPBOARD:
SHARING OUR BOUNTY WITH THOSE IN NEED
To echo the words of Eleanor Ross, “The history of the Hamilton Food Cupboard began when my husband, Rev. Vernon Ross, who was at that time the Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Hamilton, suggested that it would be a good idea if the church could do something about the food needs of certain individuals and families in the community.” Eleanor took that suggestion to heart, and through her efforts an “emergency food shelf” was established at the Baptist Church. This was in the early 1970’s. The “food shelf” would address needs resulting from fires, floods, sudden loss of employment, or help for the elderly. Rev. Ross, through his church ministry, had already seen the need for such a program in Hamilton as well as the surrounding area.
The “food shelf” immediately attracted individuals and families. As word spread, the need for something larger was realized. In 1978, Eleanor and the Baptist Women’s Society established a Food Cupboard. Eleanor and Vern Ross continued to administer the cupboard from 1978-1984. In addition to food items gathered by the Women’s Society, there were also donations from individuals in the community, the Hamilton Central School National Honor Society and Colgate student groups. The Food Cupboard was operated from a small, upstairs, back room at the First Baptist Church each morning from 8:30 to noon, Monday through Friday.
Local clergy and other concerned citizens began referring clients to the Food Cupboard. It soon became an interest of the Hamilton Interchurch Council, and an ad hoc committee was formed. Each of the Hamilton churches provided food items to The Cupboard on a rotational basis. (4 times a year)
In 1985, responding to increasing needs, the Food Cupboard was formalized as the Hamilton Interchurch Council Food Cupboard, Inc. It has been known to all in the area as “The Cupboard” ever since. Eleanor Ross continued to lead the project as Chairman, but now the names of Betsy Vantine, Carol Compton, Ella Purple, Helen Bjorkman, Lee Lamb , Lydia Downie, Marjorie Cohen and Madge Snyder would be added to the effort as Directors of this new organization during this formative time period.
It was certainly a busy time for The Cupboard. In addition to incorporation, papers were filed for tax exempt status and the original ad hoc committee was organized into a working group. The Cupboard had to find everything from freezers to shelving, volunteers had to be trained in procedures to deal with the clients and the contact list for donations needed to be expanded.
The committee began to look for a new home for The Cupboard during the fall of 1986 and approached Roger Wilcox, owner of Roger’s Market, to see if there was a possibility of using the building located next to his store. This location, near the intersection of Lebanon and Maple Streets, would not only be convenient, but would offer greater space for donated and purchased food items. The storefront space was secured by late 1987 and a three year lease was signed. The building was renovated for the exclusive use of The Cupboard, the base of support was broadened to include the entire community, and The Cupboard was opened to the public on Sunday, May 17, 1988.
The Cupboard continued to have the generous support of the community. Personal donations of food and money continued to be a source of supply and revenue. In addition, collections from area churches continued, grants were obtained (such as that obtained from the Community Action Program, through the efforts of Carol Compton, representing the Food Cupboard and Irene Brown, the Director of C.A.P. at that time) and food was purchased through the Central New York Food Bank by using Federal and State supply credit.
One other feature of the cupboard at this time was the distribution of donated clothing. The clothing came from individuals in the community, local stores, and the Colgate student groups. This effort aided families during the entire year, but especially during the winter months.
A tragic fire in the spring of 1991 left The Cupboard without a place to operate and with virtually no supplies. The Hamilton community and Colgate University stepped in to locate a new home for The Cupboard and to have the shelves stocked once again with food and other supplies for the needy. Operating from the former Hamilton Municipal Court House, the new location offered a wonderful location on the corner of Lebanon and Mill Streets, across the street from the Hamilton Fire Department.
Due to the increase in the number of families being served and with limited space, The Cupboard had to discontinue the clothing distribution. Community members soon realized that this was also a necessary service and “Worn Again,” under the direction of Father John Madden of St. Mary’s Church, was created. Today this clothing outlet is located at Parry’s Hardware.
The Cupboard today continues to thrive. The addition of a greenhouse, under the direction of Sam Stradling, has added a new source of fresh vegetables to the list of food items. Sam was able to secure funding from the Central New York Community Foundation and Colgate’s Konosioni Senior Honors Society. With the aid of David Beattie, Bob Deming, David Hopper, Mark Manchester and several Colgate students, the greenhouse has become a working reality.
Food and monetary donations continue to come from community and area residents. These are supplemented by donations from area churches, civic organizations, (such as the Community Chest) the Colgate community, benefit concerts at the Earlville Opera House, Federal and State grants, and Federal and State supply credit used at the Food Bank of Central New York, located in Syracuse.
The Cupboard has been fortunate to have had extremely competent paid Administrators over the years of its existence. Mary Ellen Shen has served twice in that capacity. Jon Benedict and Penny Billings also served in the position of Administrator and all three are fondly remembered for a fine job. Each brought unique talents to the job and helped to expand the scope of The Cupboard.
Under the current Administrator, Suzanne Collins, the Hamilton Food Cupboard serves between 150-200 families each month from the Hamilton and Madison school districts. The current Board of Directors consisting of President: Sam Stradling, Treasurer: Don Miller and Members: Russ Lura, Dave McKay, Ruthann Loveless, Bernie Steneri, Linda Cazar and Collette Gotham make sure that the mission of The Cupboard – “To be an advocate for the hungry in the Hamilton and Madison school districts” – is followed by all possible means.
The hours of operation for The Cupboard are from 1:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 Mill Street and at their satellite pantry the last Saturday of each month at the Madison Baptist Church, 3685 North Street in Madison.
The Hamilton area is indeed fortunate to have such an outlet for the needy. Rev. Ross, it was a great idea! And Eleanor, how can we ever thank you for pursuing that idea and following it to its fruition? To all of you in the Hamilton area, please visit the Food Cupboard and witness a truly caring organization.
By Jim Ford – February 2014
The “food shelf” immediately attracted individuals and families. As word spread, the need for something larger was realized. In 1978, Eleanor and the Baptist Women’s Society established a Food Cupboard. Eleanor and Vern Ross continued to administer the cupboard from 1978-1984. In addition to food items gathered by the Women’s Society, there were also donations from individuals in the community, the Hamilton Central School National Honor Society and Colgate student groups. The Food Cupboard was operated from a small, upstairs, back room at the First Baptist Church each morning from 8:30 to noon, Monday through Friday.
Local clergy and other concerned citizens began referring clients to the Food Cupboard. It soon became an interest of the Hamilton Interchurch Council, and an ad hoc committee was formed. Each of the Hamilton churches provided food items to The Cupboard on a rotational basis. (4 times a year)
In 1985, responding to increasing needs, the Food Cupboard was formalized as the Hamilton Interchurch Council Food Cupboard, Inc. It has been known to all in the area as “The Cupboard” ever since. Eleanor Ross continued to lead the project as Chairman, but now the names of Betsy Vantine, Carol Compton, Ella Purple, Helen Bjorkman, Lee Lamb , Lydia Downie, Marjorie Cohen and Madge Snyder would be added to the effort as Directors of this new organization during this formative time period.
It was certainly a busy time for The Cupboard. In addition to incorporation, papers were filed for tax exempt status and the original ad hoc committee was organized into a working group. The Cupboard had to find everything from freezers to shelving, volunteers had to be trained in procedures to deal with the clients and the contact list for donations needed to be expanded.
The committee began to look for a new home for The Cupboard during the fall of 1986 and approached Roger Wilcox, owner of Roger’s Market, to see if there was a possibility of using the building located next to his store. This location, near the intersection of Lebanon and Maple Streets, would not only be convenient, but would offer greater space for donated and purchased food items. The storefront space was secured by late 1987 and a three year lease was signed. The building was renovated for the exclusive use of The Cupboard, the base of support was broadened to include the entire community, and The Cupboard was opened to the public on Sunday, May 17, 1988.
The Cupboard continued to have the generous support of the community. Personal donations of food and money continued to be a source of supply and revenue. In addition, collections from area churches continued, grants were obtained (such as that obtained from the Community Action Program, through the efforts of Carol Compton, representing the Food Cupboard and Irene Brown, the Director of C.A.P. at that time) and food was purchased through the Central New York Food Bank by using Federal and State supply credit.
One other feature of the cupboard at this time was the distribution of donated clothing. The clothing came from individuals in the community, local stores, and the Colgate student groups. This effort aided families during the entire year, but especially during the winter months.
A tragic fire in the spring of 1991 left The Cupboard without a place to operate and with virtually no supplies. The Hamilton community and Colgate University stepped in to locate a new home for The Cupboard and to have the shelves stocked once again with food and other supplies for the needy. Operating from the former Hamilton Municipal Court House, the new location offered a wonderful location on the corner of Lebanon and Mill Streets, across the street from the Hamilton Fire Department.
Due to the increase in the number of families being served and with limited space, The Cupboard had to discontinue the clothing distribution. Community members soon realized that this was also a necessary service and “Worn Again,” under the direction of Father John Madden of St. Mary’s Church, was created. Today this clothing outlet is located at Parry’s Hardware.
The Cupboard today continues to thrive. The addition of a greenhouse, under the direction of Sam Stradling, has added a new source of fresh vegetables to the list of food items. Sam was able to secure funding from the Central New York Community Foundation and Colgate’s Konosioni Senior Honors Society. With the aid of David Beattie, Bob Deming, David Hopper, Mark Manchester and several Colgate students, the greenhouse has become a working reality.
Food and monetary donations continue to come from community and area residents. These are supplemented by donations from area churches, civic organizations, (such as the Community Chest) the Colgate community, benefit concerts at the Earlville Opera House, Federal and State grants, and Federal and State supply credit used at the Food Bank of Central New York, located in Syracuse.
The Cupboard has been fortunate to have had extremely competent paid Administrators over the years of its existence. Mary Ellen Shen has served twice in that capacity. Jon Benedict and Penny Billings also served in the position of Administrator and all three are fondly remembered for a fine job. Each brought unique talents to the job and helped to expand the scope of The Cupboard.
Under the current Administrator, Suzanne Collins, the Hamilton Food Cupboard serves between 150-200 families each month from the Hamilton and Madison school districts. The current Board of Directors consisting of President: Sam Stradling, Treasurer: Don Miller and Members: Russ Lura, Dave McKay, Ruthann Loveless, Bernie Steneri, Linda Cazar and Collette Gotham make sure that the mission of The Cupboard – “To be an advocate for the hungry in the Hamilton and Madison school districts” – is followed by all possible means.
The hours of operation for The Cupboard are from 1:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 Mill Street and at their satellite pantry the last Saturday of each month at the Madison Baptist Church, 3685 North Street in Madison.
The Hamilton area is indeed fortunate to have such an outlet for the needy. Rev. Ross, it was a great idea! And Eleanor, how can we ever thank you for pursuing that idea and following it to its fruition? To all of you in the Hamilton area, please visit the Food Cupboard and witness a truly caring organization.
By Jim Ford – February 2014