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Who Is Eligible - Any household in Western Orange County who is
referred by the Department of Social Services, Social Security, Rural
Opportunities, or walk-ins who state they are in need of emergency food
assistance. All households requesting assistance must bring with them Proof of
Income (pay stubs, SSI award letter), Proof of Residence (Utility bill), Birth Certificates, Social Security
Cards and Recent photo ID for all
members in the household.
We oversee the Emergency Food Pantry, the continuing
Care/Community Service Program, Breads and Cakes Program, and the Thanksgiving
Food Basket Project. Volunteers provide a variety of services within this
Program.
The Continuing Care/Community Service Program assists families and
individuals with ongoing food assistance while their financial situation is
stabilized. The Emergency Food Pantry provides an emergency food package to
those in need of food who have exhausted their resources to provide food for
them selves and their household. The packages contain a three-day supply of
food. We also help individuals to other food resources in the community.
The Breads and Cakes Program provides day-old breads/cakes to several
sites in the greater Middletown area. This allows individuals to stretch their
purchasing power in the store by not having to purchase these items.
The Thanksgiving Food Basket Project is supported entirely by the
Greater Community of Orange County and enables over 750 income eligible families
to enjoy a Holiday Meal they would not have been able to purchase for themselves
without severely impacting another part of their already tight budgets.
Who Is Not Eligible - Any person under the influence of drugs or
alcohol will not be given food assistance.
How You Can Help - Food for hungry families is
on going, and is needed throughout the year. We are always in need of
non-perishable foods, volunteer help and money. Your cash/check donations are
tax-deducible. Checks can be made out to RECAP Nutrition Program, P.O. Box 886.
Middletown, NY 10940 or you can bring donations directly to our main office at
40 Smith Street, Middletown. We welcome special event food drives that can
support the Pantry Program.
Safe Food
Handling Techniques
- Use wooden
cutting boards made of oak. Oak contains natural elements that kill germs.
- Never wrap
raw or cooked fish in aluminum or tin foil. The omega - 3 fatty acids react with
the metal and the fish product gains a metallic taste.
- Washing all
cooking utensils (including knives and cutting boards) in the dishwasher is
always good practice. If a dishwasher is not available, bleach (3 tablespoons
per gallon of water) is sufficient.
Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Wear gloves if
and whenever possible, especially handling raw meats.
- Avoid
cross-contamination at all costs. One way to insure this is to have separate
cutting boards.
- Sponges are a
really good source of germs and bacteria - best to use a dish cloth and change
it every day.
- Never taste
food that looks or smells strange. Just discard it. A good rule to follow is –
When in doubt, throw it out.
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Emergency Food Pantry
RECAP Main Office
40 Smith Street, Middletown, NY 10940
Main Office: (845) 342-3978
Fax Number: (845) 956-5385
foodpantry@recap.org
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