Moving Letter Asks For Community's Support

In keeping with the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, a charitable Harrison resident asked for his letter seeking community support for the local food pantry to be read at Thursday night's town board meeting.

The author, who wished to remain anonymous, asked Councilman-elect Steve Malfitano to share the letter with the community:

An open letter to my fellow residents,

It has been my good fortune in life to be able to face my breakfast table every morning without wondering if there will be anything to eat. Nor do I have to wonder if my children will have supper tonight. I am all too well aware that many of our Harrison neighbors cannot say the same.

How about you?

Have you ever wondered, literally, where your next meal is coming from? Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to stand in a food line, hoping that the food would not run out before there is something on you or your child's plate?

We are very fortunate for the community and area that we live, to be able to help our less fortunate residents because of the fantastic dedication of the team of the Harrison Food Pantry.

This week alone the food pantry was called upon to feed more than 100 families here in Harrison and, as we know, the cupboard of the food pantry is almost bare.

Since 1998 I have written a check to the pantry every month. This week I make a personal commitment to double my donation because of the need to feed the hungry not only here in Harrison, but throughout the County of Westchester and in other counties across the United States.

I urge all of you to join me in this commitment. Please, fellow residents, consider making a contribution to the pantry every month in whatever amount you are able to. But make a commitment, not a promise or a pledge, make a commitment. Make it the first check that you write every month. However much you are able, make it something that the pantry can consistently count on, whether it is $10, $30, $50 or $100, whatever you're able to, but make it.

It is appalling that in this country, the wealthiest in the world, almost one in six citizens goes to bed hungry every night. Let's be able to say not in Harrison.

Please join me in making sure that at least in our community, no one has to go to bed hungry because the Harrison Food Pantry has nothing left in its cupboard.

Thank You