The Pine Bush High Food Pantry has a brand-new freezer, thanks to efforts from the Pine Bush Rotary Club! The freezer was unveiled on Wednesday, September 9, to much fanfare and is already making a difference in the pantry's frozen food capacity.

Freezer space was tight at the pantry, so the Rotary Club applied for a grant on PBHS's behalf to purchase a new one. Michael’s Appliances of Middletown heard the news and chose a donate a new freezer free of charge, along with a part to fix the old one. The grant funds went to PBCSD's backpack program instead, which provides students with bags of food to take home. The program fed 71 students last year, and with this extra boost, they hope to support 97 students this year.

PBHS Social Worker Kathryn Carson-Decker said "We are fortunate to live in such a generous community. Anytime there is a need, the immediate response is and always has been 'How can I help?' And that is what drives the success of this food pantry."

The pantry gave out 12,984 pounds of food last year, amounting to 28,147 meals. The local Rotary Club, Lions Club and Knights of Columbus have all come together to make deliveries and keep the pantry stocked for students each week.

"The beauty of what we do and who we are is having the many parts make up the whole of the Pine Bush Food Pantry," Ms. Carson-Decker continued. "I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for making this tiny project into the big impact it has become.”

To set up a food pantry visit, email food.pantry@pinebushschools.org.