St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church invites the public to the grand re-opening of its Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Food Pantry on Saturday, June 7, 2025, featuring an opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m., followed by client shopping at 10:00 a.m., at 4 Woodville Road, Shoreham, NY.
For years, the pantry operated out of a narrow L-shaped space, where both limited room and language barriers often required clients to gesture for the food they needed. Today, inspired by visits to local models and guided by the enthusiastic leadership of lay leaders Michael Solomito and Chuck and Donna LaSalla—with the support of Deacon Rich Ohlsen and the Rev. Jenn Pilat—the pantry is being transformed into a spacious, dignified “self-shop” that allows neighbors in need to fill their own bags and baskets.
With community support and funding from Episcopal Ministries of Long Island, the renovated space will include refrigeration and freezer units, finally allowing the pantry to accept donations of fresh and frozen items alongside shelf-stable goods. These improvements come at a crucial time—the number of pantry clients has more than doubled since November 2024.
The ministry continues to thrive thanks to over 700 hours of annual volunteer time and the generosity of parishioners who donate more than $10,000 in food each year. Youth groups, local Boy Scouts, and dedicated volunteers stand ready to bring this new vision to life.
“This project is about more than food,” said Pilat. “It’s about honoring the dignity of every person who walks through our doors and serving Christ in our neighbors.”
Event at a Glance:
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Opening Ceremony: 9:00 AM
Client Shopping Begins: 10:00 AM
St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church, 4 Woodville Road, Shoreham, NY