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Every act of caring is precious.
Those of us at St. Peter’s Kitchen often hear that sentiment expressed by the people that walk through our doors daily. And we strongly believe in it too.
More importantly, our beliefs cannot be sustained without crucial support from community members like you.
Hunger is epidemic in the Monroe County region, and we are seeing first-hand the impact on those that walk through our door. In 2023, we served 157,000 meals, 2,148 families shopped at our food pantry, and we used a staggering 417,000 pounds of food!
This year, we have seen an alarming increase in the number of those who are food insecure. “Food insecure” households are those who don‘t have enough to eat or know where their next meal will come from.
Based on our projections, we anticipate a 62% increase in our daily Lunch Program and a staggering 396% increase in households using our Pantry Program. |
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As I write today, I’m thinking of a man and his wife who came to us for help in the midst of very disturbing circumstances. To protect their privacy, I’ll call them Don and Sue. Both were very quiet when they first sat down. When our volunteer asked for their ID card Sue seemed to be ashamed as she took it out of her purse. “I hate using this card,” she said. “But we have no choice.”
When she started to cry the volunteer reached for her hand, which is when we began to understand the extent of their troubles. Don was recently laid off from his job as a mechanic and last month Sue suffered an aneurism that was getting worse by the day. She needed surgery but without medical insurance her condition would continue to deteriorate. To make matters even worse, they were about to lose their apartment.
Most of us will face adversity at some point in our lives, whether through a job loss, a death in the family or ill health. No one is immune. Although we couldn’t help Don and Sue with their house payment or address their current medical situation, the gifts of friends like you enabled us to strengthen and encourage them while offering vital nutritional support. By providing food assistance in a respectful and dignified manner, we helped to overcome their initial fear, hopelessness and reluctance to ask for help. |
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You may be a not know people like Don and Sue but there’s a way you can help. This holiday season, please consider making a gift to St. Peter’s Kitchen. Your tax-deductible gift will help us continue to ensure that our community members in need will have access to nutritional food options close to home. Your kindness will fortify them and others who walk through our door as they face tough times ahead. And I can assure you that your kindness will be long remembered. |
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St. Peter’s Kitchen is a major community resource dedicated to helping our neighbors in crucial ways at some of the most important and challenging times of their lives.
Of those that visit St. Peter’s Kitchen: • 40% are over the age of 65 • 30% are veterans • 96% are housed
For more than 42 years, St. Peter’s Kitchen has stayed true to its mission to help the most vulnerable members of our community. In a warm, compassionate, welcoming atmosphere at our facility on Brown Street, we not only provide emergency food supplies, but have also been able to develop additional programs such as: |
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Social Work Programs – this program helps members of our community navigate the systems and resources within their reach, as well as accessing needed services outside of our mission. Our social workers provide information about Rochester-area organizations providing financial, legal, medical, and housing assistance, as well as referrals to other supportive programs. We also provide Telemedicine service for those in need.
Thanksgiving Basket Program – as part of our pantry program, families can sign up to receive a full Thanksgiving meal. We pack up everything a family needs to have a full Thanksgiving dinner (ex. stuffing mixes, cranberry sauce, a turkey, and vegetables) all collected through donations. Baskets are handed out on the week before Thanksgiving.
Christmas Toy Store – in December, we host a toy store where parents, grandparents, or guardians can “shop” for toys for their children or loved ones. Beginning in November, we start taking donations of new toys for children ages 0-12, as well as blankets, books, and children’s coats. This provides children with Christmas gifts and joy that their families would struggle to provide otherwise.
And we could not continue to do this each year without the help of people like you! |
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Every act of caring is precious. Your contribution, whatever its size, will make an important difference for those in our community that need a helping hand, not a handout. Won’t you please open your heart this holiday season and support our programs with a contribution? We’ll be deeply grateful for any amount you’re able to give.
From all of us at St. Peter’s Kitchen, I send you and those you love warmest wishes for peace and joy this holiday season and the best of health in 2025.
Sincerely, |
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Bob Boyd Chief Executive Officer
P.S. As you may know, St. Peter’s Kitchen is not a government agency but a nonprofit organization, and we rely on supporters like you to help us make the biggest difference to those we serve. Please make your gift today. Thank you!
P.P.S. If you ever want to experience first-hand our life-changing work, please feel free to call me directly on my cell phone 585-698-4713 and I will be more than happy to personally arrange to give you a tour of our facility.
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Street Address 681 Brown Street
Rochester, NY
14611
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Mailing Address PO Box 11031
Rochester, NY
14611
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