A COmmuNITY reSOurCe ANd HuNGer SNAP-SHOT

bY PaMeLa O’MaLLeY

The Fayetteville Manlius Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, provides food assistance to households living in the F-M School District. We have been serving the community for more than 20 years. Registered households may come once a month to receive 15 meals per individual in the household.

We distribute nutritious, balanced meals consisting of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, cereal, bread, meat, eggs, and dairy. We also offer toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, toiletries, laundry and dish detergent, light bulbs, COVID test kits, books, diapers, children’s birthday celebration items, and much more.

We also refer clients to potential additional resources such as SNAP, WIC, free/reduced price school meals, Affordable Connectivity Plan, United Way 211 Referral Service, affordable health insurance, and our local Grace Abounds Wear-House (located at First Baptist Church in Manlius). Life is unpredictable – none of us knows when we might need assistance due to job loss, family dynamics, accident or injury. The pantry is here to help ensure our neighbors have enough food during difficult times.

A recent dynamic is proving challenging for many. The emergency allotments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamps) ended in February. These additional

Did not provide facts

To the editor:

This reader was confused by Mr. Mirucki’s letter in last week’s issue of The Eagle Bulletin. He argued that religiouslygrounded moralistic parenting is the only effective way to curb gun violence and that legislative regulation is ineffective. As evidence, he cited the “thousands of minorities killed by guns […] in large cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York”. To satisfy this argument he assumes 1) that guns in these cities were purchased illegally and 2) that people enacting this sort of violence were raised by parents who were not religious and/or moral enough. Mr. Mirucki did not provide any facts or data to support these claims, so I did a little reading.

History

SNAP benefits, established early in the COVID-19 pandemic to help address skyrocketing food insecurity, have been critical to families struggling to make ends meet over the past three years. It helped them buy food during the pandemic and has continued helping them as food prices have increased due to inflation.

With these changes, many SNAP households have experienced a sharp reduction in their monthly benefit – of anywhere from $95 to more than $200.

It may be surprising to learn that many F-M families struggle to make ends meet and hunger is a reality in the F-M School District. The FM Food Pantry is seeing an increase in the number of households needing our assistance due to the combination of SNAP changes, higher food, housing and energy costs, and overall inflation.

The following provides a snapshot of the need we are seeing right now: l Over 120 households comprised of 300-plus members of our community are registered with the pantry. l Some of our families utilize the pantry monthly and some visit less often. The frequency of visits depends on many variables, but all of our families are so thankful the pantry is here for them. l Over a third of our households have children l Over a third of our households are seniors. l In the past year, we provided an average of 2,500 meals/month. l In March and April – since the in 1949-1950. The exhibits there are many. There is a guide in attendance to explain and conduct you. l There has been a 52% increase in the number of people coming to the pantry since a year ago (April 2022 to April 2023).

The DOJ collects information on trafficked crime guns–legally purchased guns involved in crimes in places where it would be illegal to purchase the same guns. Of the four cities with the highest rate of interstate sourced crime guns recovered and traced by the DOJ, New York, Chicago, and L.A. are first, second, and fourth respectively. All of which with more than half of their recovered crime guns being legally purchased out of state. This means the stricter gun laws in NY, IL, and CA work. And it is the relatively lax restrictions in other states that contribute to most of the gun violence in the cities Mr. Mirucki is so worried about. According to the DOJ, in NYC a staggering 92.7% of crime guns were bought legally in other states.

SNAP changes went into effect – we saw nearly a 10% increase over February in the number of people visiting the pantry.

We thank our community – individuals, churches, schools, groups and organizations, as well as nearby farms, local businesses and our many dedicated volunteers – for your generosity and kindness. With your help and the amazing support we receive from the Food Bank of CNY, we have been able to provide more than 30,000 meals in the past year to our community! We couldn’t fulfill our mission without you. The pantry is located at 122 E. Seneca Street in Manlius, behind and below Pavone’s Pizza, in a space generously donated by the Pavone family. The rear of the building can be accessed by Flume Road or Mill Street. to receive food:

If you or someone you know needs food or would like to inquire about FM Food Pantry assistance, please reach out to Director Pam O’Malley at 315682-3688, fmfoodpantrycny@ gmail. com or stop by in person during client hours. Services are confidential, and client privacy is of utmost importance. We know that taking that first step of contacting us may feel uncomfortable, we want to reassure anyone who might need our services or who has been thinking of calling us that it is

His claims about the lacking morals of urban minorities are tired and have never been substantiated. It was this supposed innate immorality that was used to justify centuries of chattel slavery. Then again to prop up decades of legal segregation. Once more to spur a war on drugs waged against predominantly urban-dwelling Black and brown folk despite evidence that they have never used drugs at a higher rate than white Americans. And now it is being used to blame these communities for gun violence to which they fall victim. There is evidence that gun restrictions protect people from gun violence and that morality is dependent neither on race nor locale.

SAm THeOHArIS Fayetteville

30 Years a go – June 9, 1993

Despite the inclement weather, about 60 residents turned out for the formal opening of the first section of the new Cazenovia rail trail. Members ok to seek assistance – that is why we are here! The pantry is open for clients Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am2pm and 5:30-7pm. to donate:

If you or your organization would like to contribute to the FM Food Pantry, please: l Send monetary donations to our mailing address: FM Food Pantry, PO Box 626, Manlius, NY 13104 (and check if your employer has a donation matching program!) l Bring non-perishable food items, household paper products, personal hygiene products and/or monetary donations to the FM Food Pantry on Mondays 10-11:30am or Thursdays 10:30-11:30am. The Manlius Public Library also has a pantry donation box. l Donate to the Food Bank of CNY and request that your donation be allocated to Fayetteville Manlius Food Pantry’s food line of credit account. This enables us to purchase more food from the Food Bank. Each dollar donated buys 3 meals! Mail donations to: Food Bank of CNY, 7066 Interstate Island Road, Syracuse, NY 13209.

Please help spread the word that we are here to help! For more information about us visit fmfoodpantry.org.

Editor’s note: Pamela O’Malley is the director of the Fayetteville Manlius Food Pantry. She can be reached at fmfoodpantrycny@gmail.co m

No reason for assessment increases

To the editor: of the Cazenovia Trail Coalition intend this to be the start of a trail project which, will create a 12-mile, multi use corridor through the towns of Fenner and Cazenovia, and which will connect Chittenango Falls State Park, the

Discussions at our coffee get-togethers recently have been about one topic – the dramatic jump in home assessments. The reason most often heard for this is the recent sales of much higher-priced homes in this area. Apparently, it’s believed to be a sign of growing prosperous times. Based on the information I’ve gotten from Google, that’s completely false.

It appears the reason for the sale of those higher price homes is because many believe building costs will continue to rise. Also, homes presently may be purchased with lower down payments with still fairly reasonable mortgage rates.

That’s still not a sign of more prosperous times because Google tells us homeowners are defaulting on their mortgage payments at a higher rate. There also has been an increase in household debt in the first quarter of 2023 of 148 billion dollars. Another important fact by Google is that about 40% of homeowners never pay off their mortgages. All are very definite signs that these are not more prosperous times.

It is for these reasons any rise in home assessments giving the town the power to raise taxes should only be done when the town proves it is needed to continue doing their job effectively. There should be no other reason. That is the American way.

CHArleS mIruCkI Fayetteville

Village of Cazenovia and the hamlet of New Woodstock. The proposed route will follow sections of abandoned rail corridors and bike paths along local and state roads.

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Cherished father, husband, brother, son, uncle, friend

Kirk Wardell, a beloved resident of Cazenovia, passed away on May 26, 2023, at the age of 60 after a valiant battle against cancer. He was a free spirit who loved spending time with family and friends, sharing his love for music, woodworking and the outdoors, especially boating, hunting and hiking. He leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion as a cherished father, husband, brother, son, uncle and friend. His infectious sense of humor, warm smile and unwavering de- owner Edward J. Andrews, 71, originally from Chittenango, passed away Feb. 27, 2023, at Catholic Hospice at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Ed was born in Syracuse, the fourth of five children born to Archie and Margaret Andrews. Ed attended Chittenango Central School termination will always be remembered.

Kirk’s impact extended beyond his personal relationships. Having earned his degree in electronic engineering from Arizona State University, Kirk embarked on a successful career and became a dedicated advocate and mentor for the manufacturing and business community in Central New York. He was renowned for driving transformative results as president of Marquardt’s North American Head- and earned his GED. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College after hitchhiking with a friend to California and working on a shrimp boat in Louisiana. He finally found his niche after returning to CNY - that being an electrician. He worked for several electrical contractors in the Central New York area before starting his own business.

He is survived by his brother, Dave Andrews; his sister, Mary Colclough, quarters and Manufacturing Plant in Cazenovia, on various boards and organizations, including MACNY, TDO, CenterState CEO, and LeMoyne College, and most recently, as vice president of operations at Knowles Precision Devices. With over 30 years of experience, his commitment to innovation earned him an induction into MACNY’s Manufacturers Wall of Fame in 2018.

Kirk is survived by his loving wife Kathryn Reilly Wardell, cherished daughter Emma Wardell, devoted mother Marcia Wardell, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his oldest brother, Tom and youngest sister, Janet McGauley. A celebration of Ed’s life will be held beginning at 4 p.m. on June 17, 2023 at a residence at 5073 Irish Ridge Road, Chittenango (around the corner from Chittenango Falls.) Please come, bring a chair, a snack or dish to pass and a memory or two. Condolences for Ed’s family may be left at

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caring sister Michele Wardell McGovern, and supportive brother Lance Wardell. He is predeceased by his father Bruce Wardell and sister Lynne Wardell. During this difficult time, may his family and friends find solace in the memories they shared with Kirk, and may his spirit of optimism and dedication continue to guide and inspire all those whose lives he touched. Calling hours were held on Sunday, June 4, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Michael E. Brown Funeral Services located at 2333 Fenner Road, Cazenovia,

NY 13035. A private celebration of life followed calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider donating to:

F. McCarthy

Loving mother

Christina F. McCarthy (née McVie,) of Cazenovia, passed away May 30, 2023.

Loving mother of Stephen (Valery) and Kurt (Claire) McCarthy; cherished grandmother of Luke and Kurt McCarthy; cherished sister of Ann Curtis and Charlotte McVie, she is also survived by nieces and nephews.

edward J. andrews michaelebrownfuneralservices.com. kirk Wardell chaelebrownfuneralservices.com. a.m. to

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our self-service site at www.theclassifiedsuperstore.com or call 315-434-8889, ext. 321. Deadline: Wednesdays at 7pm.

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