Rochester food pantry expands as need grows

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — If you’re looking for an example of federal dollars at work for the good of the people, check out a program in Rochester that helps feed those in need. It is a food pantry that delivers not just food, but knowledge on how to make healthier choices.

Rory Dumas of Rochester might be the perfect spokesperson for Trillium Health’s Rochester food pantry.

“It’s like coming to see friends when I come to visit here,” said Dumas.

Dumas is a senior citizen living on a fixed income. Trillium’s food pantry served more than 3,000 people in need last year. Healthy options are offered at a cheaper price than grocery stores.

“I don’t have to spend every penny I have at the grocery store,” he said. “Because I’m able to get things here that help me sustain a healthy life.”

A recent ribbon cutting marked a grand re-opening. Trillium received $6 million in federal funding to expand the pantry and open a downtown learning kitchen — similar to one located in Honeoye Falls. That’s where we first met Rory last summer, at a place that teaches healthy food prep habits through Trillium’s Food Pharmacy program. It’s food that can help people tackle health problems for people like Dumas, who has diabetes.

“The recipes that I get from food pharmacy to cook things that are better for me than my normal diet,” said Dumas.

Federal American Rescue Plan funding helped pay for the project. It was completed as future federal money, in general, is up in the air due to massive cuts in Washington.

“We continue to monitor the executive orders that are impacting federal funding,” said Jason Barnecut-Kearns, Trillium Health president and CEO. “We need to wait to see how that will flow through into our federal funding grants.”

“These are investments can be incredibly powerful,” said Rep. Joseph Morelle, a Rochester-area Democrat.

Like the decision many face, between paying bills or buying groceries. A decision thanks to the food pantry that thousands won’t have to make.

“I would struggle to get food in the house, yeah,” said Dumas. “I appreciate the place a lot.”