MONTICELLO – Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house for its relocated food pantry and case management office in Monticello. 

Now located on the agency’s Sullivan County campus at 396 Broadway, Monticello, the pantry’s new space is larger and more accessible to better meet the needs of the community, with plenty of off-street parking. It’s open to community members on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In addition to providing a wide variety of fresh and nonperishable food selections, the pantry provides baby supplies, personal care items, household goods, and other necessities to help people in need. (Offerings may vary from week to week.) The food pantry’s co-location with case management improves access to other Catholic Charities’ services, including assistance with emergency shelter, eviction prevention, utilities and rental arrears, and other supports.

“Our Case Management staff work hard to ensure the food pantry selections include an array of healthy, nutritious options, as well as culturally appropriate foods, so that clients will use and enjoy the foods they receive,” said Shannon Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster. “As our staff get to know pantry clients, they gain a greater understanding of an individual or family’s other needs and can connect them to additional services and resources, both through Catholic Charities and our many community partners,” added Kelly.

Before cutting the ribbon, the Rev. Bob Porpora, pastor of the Church of St. Peter, Monticello, and Catholic Charities board member, offered a blessing for the new location and reminded guests of the agency’s mission to provide help and create hope for our neighbors in need, regardless of a person’s religion. Local officials assembled for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by food pantry and case management staff included New York State Assembly Member Aileen Gunther, Village of Monticello Mayor Rochelle Massey, Village Manager James Snowden, Town of Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber, Sullivan County HHS Commissioner John Liddle, and Monticello Acting Police Chief David Lindsay, as well as many partners from community organizations and Sullivan County government.

People in need of food assistance can stop by the pantry at 396 Broadway, Monticello, during Wednesday pantry hours. For case management assistance or more information, call the office at 845-794-8080, ext. 2871, to schedule an appointment.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Catholic Charities will be taking the pantry outdoors for a pop-up event in the parking lot to be joined by other community partners and resources, starting at 10 a.m. Anyone interested in volunteering with the food distribution can sign up online.

Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster, as one of the human service agencies of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. Catholic Charities serves the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically challenged, as well as immigrants and other marginalized and vulnerable people in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. Catholic Charities collaborates with parishes and Catholic and non-Catholic partners alike to help people of all religions who are in need. For more information, visit their website.