Funding Approved For Peekskill Food Pantry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 10, 2007

Contact: George Oros, 914.995.2828, Oros@westchesterlegislators.com

Westchester County Legislator George Oros (R, C, IN- Cortlandt) is pleased to announce the county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract has approved $2,950 for the “Harvest Time” food pantry at the Family Resource Center of Peekskill, located on North Division Street.

Oros, the minority leader of the Board of Legislators whose district covers Cortlandt, Peekskill and Yorktown, said he was delighted the county was able to assist the food pantry.

“It’s important to help keep this vital operation going,” Oros said. “The needs of so many in Peekskill and the surrounding area are indeed great and all segments of our community—public and private—must work together to address those needs.”

The Harvest Time program was founded by Elizabeth McCorvey at the end of 2003 when 22 veterans from the VA Hospital in Montrose were recruited to build a closet for the pantry. Since its inception, more than 40,000 bags of food have been distributed to low income families, children, homeless and the elderly in the Peekskill area and throughout Westchester County.

McCorvey, who is director of Harvest Time, said without the funding from the county the program would have difficulty surviving.

“It enables the program to continue,” McCorvey said. “We are very grateful for all the help we can get. The need is just so great. A lot of things that people take for granted and are basic for some people are not basic for everyone.”

The Harvest Time program is operated primarily by volunteers. The Family Resource Center is a member of the Westchester County Food Bank and Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless.