Members of Your Place at the Table recently accepted donations from UPS Healthcare in Logan Township for the food pantry.
Situated at Trinity United Methodist Church is the food pantry Your Place at the Table (YPATT), which supports the needy in the township, along with those in Mantua, South Harrison, East Greenwich and Elk Township.
The group was founded in 2012 by congregation members Kristin Skrobanek, her husband Mark and two sons, Clayton and Benjamin, when they joined the church in bringing food to families.
“I thought that I would have a good feeling after we drove off,” Kristen recalled of the family’s first donation, “but all I could think was, ‘What are they going to do next month?’ Their need for food does not end with our one box.”
In order to provide more sustenance, Skrobanek approached the leadership at Trinity about creating a place for the storage and distribution of food. The church fully supported that vision, which led to the formation of YPATT.
“The name was chosen due to its double meaning,” Skrobanek explained of the new nonprofit. “It can mean your place to help serve others, or it could be your place to be served.”
Relying on donations from the community, YPATT has served more than 500 families and seniors in the area over the past several years, according to board member Alicia DiFabio. The organization does food drives and events throughout the year to engage with the community, including summer pop-up pantries in area neighborhoods.
“There are hundreds of families in our local community who greatly benefit from assistance with something as simple as groceries,” DiFabio noted. “Families and seniors receive a monthly food box intended to supplement their household with basic groceries like breakfast items, pasta and jarred sauce, canned fruits and vegetables and rice. They also distribute a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs and fresh seasonal produce.”
The community has rallied behind YPATT since its inception. The Harrison Township Committee is behind the effort, as are local businesses like the Harrison House Diner; Cake Boutique; and the Mullica Hill ShopRite, among others.
“This would not all be possible without awesome, numerous volunteers who dedicate their time to serve others,” Skrobanek emphsized.
Residents in need can pick up food from Trinity on specific Fridays and Sundays each month. The next two pickup dates are Friday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m.
YPATT seeks donations of soup, jelly, canned fruit, apple sauce, canned chicken and boxed potatoes. Cans must not be dented, and items cannot be expired. No glass items are accepted.
