Connections at Farmers Market Feed the Hungry

Helping others in need is a skill not lost on Lorrain Buonocunto.

A director at the all-volunteer for more than three decades, Buonocunto has been helping feed the area's hungry for longer than some of the pantry's 52 volunteers have been alive. It's in her blood, she says, telling a story about how her father once worked to feed immigrants during the great depression.

"It's really rewarding," she said at the White Plains farmers market Wednesday afternoon. Buonocunto and four farmers who have to the pantry were at the market Wednesday to be recognized by White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.

Buonocunto explained that since the White Plains Youth Bureau connected the pantry with farmers market vendors three or four years ago the impact has been enormous.

"Most of my clients are below the poverty level she said," explaining that many of the people and families she works with are either single parents or senior citizens living on a fixed income. "This helps a great deal."

The connection with the youth bureau shows how organizations with the best interests of the community working together can benefit all. Volunteers from the youth bureau now transport food from the market to the food pantry every week.

"It's kind of the way we try to work in White Plains, all the businesses and people who live here, people that work here, we view them as members of the community," said White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach. "So many people will step up to the plate if you ask them, it's really heartening."

After speaking with a few reporters, Buonocunto was off making more connections. Before long, she was talking with a vendor and thanking him for his support.

"It's really networking, it's really important," she explained. "They help us very much."

If you or someone you know would like to donate to the Ecumenical Food Pantry of White Plains, you can reach the pantry at 914-428-5770.