HELPING HAND SALT Progam Coordinator Martin Colavito passes a pantry box to Beth Dibartolo while loading for a food delivery. Aaron Adams-Thomas photo
SALT flavors food aid with care
Organization helps hundreds of families
By Aaron Adam-Thomas | Manor Ink
Livingston Manor, NY – During these times, things have been hard for a lot of people, especially people who are less fortunate. Martin Colavito has used his time to make other people’s lives better. “The better we serve the people around us – our neighbors – the stronger our community becomes.”
Colavito works as program coordinator, along with Beth Dibartolo, at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County on an initiative called Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard, in partnership with Sullivan Allies Leading Together or SALT, an organization that provides a wide range of social services, including food distribution and substance abuse education.
Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard is a program of CCE’s Agriculture & Food Systems program area, along with Sullivan Fresh Market-on-the-Move and Market at Monticello. SALT is known for its food access program that donates food to people in need. “But,” emphasized Colavito, “we do not consider ourselves a hand reaching down; we consider ourselves a hand reaching across the table.”
According to a 2018 Census Bureau report, 16.2 percent of Sullivan County residents live in poverty. Since COVID-19 started, unemployment and SNAP applications have gone up. Many people earn too much to qualify for government assistance, yet find their budgets squeezed even tighter and are often forced to choose between buying food and paying bills.
A table at Cornell Cooperative Extension laden with supplies to be distributed to families in need. Aaron Adams-Thomas photo
Some people who have unreliable transportation, or no transportation at all, do not live close to grocery stores. Many end up buying food from gas stations and convenience stores.
“If you look at the geographics of the county, how spread out it is, you can see how hard it is for some people on the outer reaches of the county to get to food sources, how hard it is for senior citizens to access food,” said Colavito. “Sullivan County has been a county plagued with health disparities, mental health issues and addiction issues that make it a lot harder to access food.”
SALT delivers to about 300 to 400 people each week, giving out at least 5,000 meals. All kinds of vegetables, fruits and non-perishable items, such as peppers, onions, tomatoes, bananas, apples, tuna, beans, rice, and eggs, line the tables at the distribution center at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ferndale. That’s where volunteers assist Dibartolo and Colavito in preparing the items for delivery.
SALT is one of only a few organizations in Sullivan County that deliver food directly to peoples’ homes, but other food organizations, like A Single Bite, are partnering with SALT and the United Methodist Church in Monticello to have their food donations delivered.
“Food insecurity is a very big problem,” said Colavito, “and it’s been a problem probably for a couple of decades.”
If you are in need or would like to donate, you can call Colavito at 596-0075.
Need food assistance?
These agencies offer help to individuals and families in need. Contact them for more information.
SALT: 596-0075
Emergency Community Assistance hotline: 807-0925
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Sullivan County: 292-6180
Food Pantries
Claryville Reformed Church, Claryville Rd.; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; 985-2041
Grahamsville United Methodist Church, 356 Rte. 55; anytime by appointment; 985-2283
Hurleyville United Methodist Church, Main St.; Thursdays, 4:30-
6 p.m.; Town of Fallsburg residents only, 434-5097
Jeffersonville First Presbyterian Church, Main St.; third Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.; residents of immediate area only, ID needed; 796-8786 or 482-3188
Liberty United Methodist Church, 170 N. Main St.; food pantry, Mondays, 4-6 p.m.; Monday night dinners, 5-6:30 p.m.; 292 6243
St. Peter’s RC Church, 262 N. Main St., Liberty; Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.- noon; ID required; 292-4525
Lighthouse Ministries, 23 Triangle Rd., Liberty; third Thursdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 985-7026
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 24 Chestnut St., Liberty; second and fourth Friday, 3-4:30 p.m.; once a month pick-up, walk-in; also dinners, every Wednesday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; 292-4626
Little Free Pantry, Creamery Rd., Livingston Manor; fresh food and vegetables for those in need; facebook.com/lmlittlefreepantry, 707-2723
Livingston Manor United Methodist Church, 89 Pearl St.; Thursdays, 6-7 p.m.; 439-5134 or 607-498-5153
United Church of Roscoe, 2 Church St.; occasionally on third Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m.; for eligibility info, call 607-498-4108
White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, 3318 Rte. 52; anytime by appointment, 423 -0329