Volunteers preparing for the distribution on July 29 at the Gouverneur Elementary School in conjunction with the free milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. (Rachel Hunter photo)
by Rachel Hunter
The USDA Food Box Distribution at the Gouverneur Elementary School, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club in partnership with Renzi Foodservice was canceled on Wednesday, July 29 due to a mix-up in communication.
The first USDA Food Box Distribution in Gouverneur was organized to be a free, first-come, first-served event. The pre-packaged boxes on the Renzi Foodservice truck were to contain produce, dairy and frozen meats. The USDA Food Box Distribution Program is part of the Federal COVID-19 Food Assistance Program. Local distributors, such as Renzi Foodservice, deliver the products to non-profit partners who manage distribution to local families and individuals.
Gouverneur Cub Scouts Pack 2035 Cubmaster Chris Gates volunteering at the Free Milk Distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club in partnership with Hood Dairy, on Wednesday, July 29 at Gouverneur Elementary School. (Rachel Hunter photo)
The news spread like wildfire in the Gouverneur community, and local residents arrived as early as 6 a.m. to get a distribution. By the 8 a.m. scheduled start time, motorists had surrounded the bus loop and filled Gleason Street and had reportedly even started lining up on Rock Island St. Shortly after 8 a.m. news of the miscommunication was received on site when the Renzi Foodservice truck hadn’t arrived, and the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club issued its sincere regrets via its Facebook page and informed each attendee of the mix-up at the event.
It was reported to the Gouverneur Tribune Press that USDA Food Box Distribution will be held at the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday, August 5, but no further details were available by press time.
All Gouverneur community members who stopped by the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday morning had the opportunity to receive free milk.
The Gouverneur community is reminded that 5,376 units of milk is delivered by HP Hood LLC each week for families in need throughout the North Country. The free weekly milk distribution is held at the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason Street, Gouverneur, 8 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday through August 26. Pick-up is at the bus loop entrance at the rear of the elementary school building. Follow the traffic cones and signs for guidance to the cafeteria loading dock area, and simply let the volunteers know how many gallons and what type you would like. This is a curbside pick-up only. Please remain in your car safely distanced. Volunteers will come you wearing a face mask, abiding by COVID-19 regulations.
Stephanie LaShomb helping to register North Country residents at the free weekly milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, at the Gouverneur Elementary School, on Wednesday, July 29. (Rachel Hunter photo)
This past week, organizers started collecting demographic data on those attending and encouraged all those participating to fill out the Census.
In addition, the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club received a $500 grant to support families and community during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Northern New York Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Fund. Local farmers – thanks to the work of Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farm, a small family farm in DePeyster, which is certified organic with NOFA-NY – have graciously partnered with the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club to bring fresh, local produce for distribution at weekly free milk giveaway at the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 29. Bittersweet Farm also made an additional donated contribution to increase the amount of produce available to the North Country community. The vegetables to North Country consumers on Wednesday, July 29 included green beans, summer squash, zucchini, potatoes, and so much more.
Also, there was a distribution of cereal, made possible by the Kinney Drugs Warehouse and the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur.
To keep informed on the latest breaking information about the USDA Food Box Distribution events hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, follow their Facebook page as well as the GCSD Wildcats Facebook page. Gouverneur Kiwanis Club President Charity Zawatski said a final agreement has not been formalized with Renzi Foodservice, but the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club has requested to enter an agreement to host a weekly USDA Food Box Distribution at the Gouverneur Elementary School.