10/02/2026
IRONDEQUOIT COMMUNITY CUPBOARD, INC.
2841 Culver Road
Rochester, NY 14622
(585) 336-9107
[email protected]
Mission: “To provide emergency assistance to Irondequoit residents with dignity, kindness and without prejudice.”
October 2026
Dear Friends,
Ugh, it is already October! I am a spring and summer person and I cannot stand the long, gray days. October means that school has already been in session for a month and our holiday sign-ups begin this Saturday.
2 weeks ago, we began the Weekend Backpack Program for the East Irondequoit school district. We are able and ready for the program to begin in West Irondequoit school district, just waiting on their numbers. The numbers have increased from last year and we are currently providing 137 food bags a week. These bags include 1 juice, 1 milk, 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, 3 snacks and fresh fruit. As an example, with the current number this means we provide 274-411 cans of soup every month. We provide 548 boxes of cereal and packets of instant oatmeal, 274 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 548 juice boxes and milk. Lastly, 1,644 snacks. As you can see, we go through a lot of food every month with this program alone.
Food insecurity looks different in many households but picture children coming home from school without any snacks in the cabinets or refrigerator, this is detrimental to growing bodies and active brains. Food insecurity effects school age children more than most; making it harder to concentrate, having frustrating outbursts, and overall sadness, anxiety and depression. Picture the adults in their households skipping meals to make sure their children have food. Picture a senior who skips meals so their pets can eat. The picture isn’t pretty. We have been able to provide food and snacks to those who come to ICC because of you.
Food insecurity is climbing in Monroe County, 1 in 5 households are facing food insecurity; lack of food.
https://commongroundhealth.org/insights/library/food-insecurity-rate-by-location
Due to the economy, the new SNAP rules that disregard those who are waiting on disability benefits, don’t take into consideration single parent/adult/senior households with children, we have seen a large increase in the number of guests that need our service. Many of our new guests are coming to us for the first time. With the increase in households needing assistance we opened for distribution this past Thursday and we will again this Thursday October 8th. We will be making this decision week to week.
Foodlink Inc
https://foodlinkny.org › new-map-the-meal-gap-food-ins...
Jul 28, 2026 — 37.7% of those experiencing food insecurity do not meet the income eligibility threshold to qualify for SNAP assistance.
We can all see the higher prices in the grocery stores but imagine if you are already someone who is trying to put food on their tables.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-september-un-says-2026-10-02/
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/30410-rising-input-costs-may-lift-us-food-inflation-higher
I know I am giving you a lot of information and some of it is repeated but it isn’t good news, but it is a reality facing too many people including in Irondequoit. As a hunger advocate, how can I not continue to make people aware of what is going on around us.
We, at ICC, are so grateful for all of you who help us provide cash donations, food, paper goods, personal hygiene, weekend food backpacks for children, snacks to our elementary schools in Irondequoit and pet food to all of the guests in our community who call for assistance.
On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, we thank you!
Sincerely,
Debbie Evans, President
Due to the increase in households needing our assistance, our monthly Top 10 list is more than 10 this month.
Items we are in need of are:
Condensed soups
Canned pasta meals
Macaroni and cheese
Canned stew, hash, and chili
Canned vegetables; mixed and spinach
Condensed cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup
Ready to serve soups like chicken noodle, clam chowder and hearty beef soups
Flavored packets of rice and instant mashed potatoes pouches
SMALL bags of flour and sugar
Tomato products; pasta sauce, tomato paste, crushed and diced tomatoes
Canned peaches and jars of applesauce
Shampoo and conditioner
Toothpaste
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Tampons
Dry dog food
Coffee, tea and hot cocoa
Thank you so much to those of you who made donations both monetary and in goods:
Mary Schmitt
Gloria Bates
The Community Foundation for gluten free items
Richard Butler
Carl Ceccanti
Mr and Mrs Stiebitz
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Transfiguration Lutheran Church
Robert Ross
Mark Wakefield
Susan and MaryKaye
Rose
Richard Steiler
Noreen Rossi
Pat
Jackie Fox
Kim Kane
Kim
Anthony Palmeri
Lisa
Rose Mane
Barb Sylvia
Maria Rendziak
Dorathea and Orest in honor of Carols 85th birthday
Sue Parulski
Josette Campana
Don and Nancy
Toby Berke
Mark
Paula Beaver
L3Harris Technology
Mr and Mrs Bissinger
Knights of Columbus
Faith Keeley
Eastridge High School All Sports Booster Club
Nicole Dube
Mr and Mrs Gabello
Cheryl Soanes
M Valerio
Mr and Mrs Lang
Mr and Mrs Hennessey
Linda Bradley
Mr and Mrs Mysliwiec
Mr and Mrs Marsh
Mr and Mrs Thiell
Mr and Mrs Dengal
Judith Lathrop
Jane Mills
Mr and Mrs Hortop
Diane Hamilton
Thank you to everyone who dropped off goods to the Community Center, the Irondequoit Library and the Ridge Culver Fire Dept
We appreciate each and every one of you!
Rabobank report pegs year-end food CPI at 4% to 6%.
