Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

The purpose of the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf is to acquire, warehouse and distribute donated and purchased food and household products to benefit the needy people residing in the Town of Greece and the City of Rochester, north of Ridge Road West and west of the Genesee River, including Charlotte.

Description:
The agency is staffed entirely by its over 250 volunteers and administered by its Board of Directors. Detailed job description and guidance are provided to the many categories of volunteers. Persons requesting food in an emergency are verified by phone regarding their need. The amount of food they receive is determined by that need and in most cases a week's supply of non perishable food as well as some purchased fresh food is delivered to them. Referrals are made to other agencies when appropriate.
An additional program serves people monthly who are not in a position to improve their circumstances because of age or health. In depth verification is involved before acceptance into this program.
At holiday time families are linked with donors who provide supplies for more festive meals.

The community and Foodlink are very supportive in their donations of food and money.

History:
In 1977, a group of church representative started providing food on a limited basis, using a cupboard in one of the churches to store the food. The location of this food shelf moved to various church sites as the numbers of people served increased over the years. In 1983, the Shelf incorporated as a 501(c)(3)organization and in 1991, after the churches of Greece and Charlotte raised needed money, the Food Shelf moved into its present permanent location in the Town of Greece Human Services building which it shares with the Greece Ecumenical Clothing Closet. By 2001, that space was outgrown and a committee of community leaders raised enough money from foundations, individuals and businesses to add 2250 sq. ft. to the 1200 already being used. At that time the Greece Ecumenical Clothing Closet became a subsidiary of the Food Shelf.

Contact people:

Betty Griswold, Chairperson, (phone) Cheryl Durbin, 2nd Vice-chairperson, (phone) Ann Walker, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone)

Address:

500 Maiden Lane Rochester, NY 14616 (See a map)

Directions:

Drive north on Mount Read Blvd. to Maiden Lane; turn right and go approximately 1 block, see sign on the left for Greece Human Services-500 Maiden Lane. In the long building, go to the 2nd entrance.   Nearest Bus Stop: Dewey Ave/Maiden Lane, 10 minute walk