Above, left to right: Gretchen Skaggs (former co-director), Donna Assumma, and Vera Halpenny (co-directors)
On any given Wednesday morning at South Presbyterian Church, you’ll find a bustling scene of neighbors supporting neighbors. Volunteers greet clients with warmth, donations are dropped off at the door, and families in need gather to pick up groceries. This is the heart of the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry—a place built on care, dignity, and community.
Who They Serve
Since opening their doors in 2011, the pantry has welcomed families from Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, and Irvington, as well as pockets of Greenburgh that lack food pantry access. Each week, about 100 families—and at times during the pandemic, as many as 600 individuals—receive food through the pantry. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers, Feeding Westchester, and community partners, the pantry provides critical support without discrimination, ensuring everyone is treated with respect.
The People Behind the Pantry
At the helm are co-directors Vera Halpenny and Donna Assumma, who dedicate their time to raising awareness, organizing fundraisers, and ensuring the pantry runs smoothly. Their efforts, along with the dedication of volunteers, have made the pantry a cornerstone of support in the Rivertowns.
Hours and Access
The pantry is open every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. For those who are homebound due to illness or disability, food is delivered directly to their homes—another example of how the pantry goes above and beyond for its neighbors.
Mark Your Calendar: A Fundraiser with Live Music
Join us at South Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 14, from 2–4pm for a special fundraiser to benefit the pantry. The local band Greetings from Anywhere (featuring longtime HudCo member Doug Schneider!) will be donating their time and talent to bring an afternoon of music, community, and support for our neighbors in need.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the door or via PayPal. Every ticket sold goes directly toward stocking the pantry’s shelves and feeding families in our community.
Why It Matters
Food insecurity affects families in every community, including ours. The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry is a reminder of what’s possible when people come together to care for one another. As Vera and Donna show us through their tireless work, when we give locally, we strengthen the entire community.
How to Support the Pantry
Keeping shelves stocked and families nourished is a community effort—and there are many ways you can help:
- Donate online: Make a tax-deductible gift directly through their website.
- Amazon Wish List: Purchase essential items they need most, delivered right to their door.
- Drop-off donations: Non-perishable food can be left in the donation bin outside South Presbyterian Church.
- High-need items: The pantry is especially seeking pasta, pasta sauce, low-sugar cereal, and shelf-stable milk.