Food Pantry

St Mary's Food Pantry is dedicated to serving families in need from local municipalities.   The Pantry is currently distributing food to approximately 115 families from Pompton Lakes and nearby towns.
 
Many races and religions are represented.  We are a legal, IRS-recognized non-profit.  Certain residency and income guidelines may apply in order to meet USDA and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Program of NJ) requirements.
Most of our food comes from donations: St. Mary's parishioners, individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations like the Scouts, the Elks, and the Postal Workers.
 
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, in partnership with Feed America, provides the Food Pantry with a monthly stream of food - some at no cost to us (Federal & State supplied) and some bought with grant money from ShopRite of Oakland (Partners in Caring).

Ken Weinheimer
Ministry Contact
22 Lakeside Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
(Lower, rear; accessible from the municipal parking lot)
973-831-4442
foodpantry@stmarys-pompton.org

Mailing address
17 Pompton Ave
Pompton Lakes, NJ  07442
 

There are two main ways of receiving food from St. Mary's Food Pantry.

• If you need help to get you through a short-term emergency (maybe a few days), you can get a pre-packed bag of non-perishable food at St. Mary's Parish Office located at 17 Pompton Avenue, Pompton Lakes. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM.

• If your situation is expected to be long-term, you will “join” the St. Mary’s Food Pantry and be eligible to shop one time per month.  During the pandemic we have relaxed our registration and residency requirements. 

The St. Mary’s Food Pantry is open for shopping on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9:30AM to 3:30PM and the Wednesdays following these Saturdays from 4 to 7PM (Some months the schedule may vary due to certain holidays.)

Ken Weinheimer
Ministry Contact
22 Lakeside Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
(Lower, rear; accessible from the municipal parking lot)
973-831-4442
foodpantry@stmarys-pompton.org

Mailing address
17 Pompton Ave
Pompton Lakes, NJ  07442

During the pandemic, we have instituted cleaning/sanitizing procedures and occupancy limits in an effort to best protect both our volunteers and members/shoppers.  Our food distribution methods are subject to change in response to the evolving conditions.  It is our goal to institute protocols that reflect CDC guidelines, along with the directives of the Governor, the Diocese of Paterson and St. Mary’s Parish. Changing conditions may impact some of our operational plans and volunteer activities found below.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering during the pandemic should feel free to contact us for more information regarding the safety protocols we have instituted. 

The St. Mary’s Food Pantry is open on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9:30AM to 3:30PM and the Wednesdays following these Saturdays from 4 to 7PM.  (Some months the schedule may vary due to certain holidays.)

Volunteeer positions needed:

• Shoppers’ Assistants:   Food Pantry members/shoppers shop once a month on their scheduled day. Our shoppers’ assistants are our largest group of volunteers.  Assistants help the shoppers select food and household items.
• Food Organization and Date-Checking:  Donated food needs to be sorted by date.  Volunteers are needed to check the food for expiration dates (or “best use by” dates).  Old, “expired” food is discarded. 
• Stocking/Shelving:  Stocking/shelving donated food needs to be done a few times each week and at other times based on food deliveries, donations received and our food distribution activities.  
• Box-truck drivers (substitute drivers):  Each month drivers are needed to pick up food from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside.  Twice a month, drivers need to pick up donated deserts and bread from Entenmann's in South Kearny.  Other pick up or delivery assignments occur periodically.  Drivers of St. Mary's vehicles need to fill out certain paperwork that must be on file before they can drive.
• Clean up:  Periodic cleaning of refrigerators and freezers is needed.

Please note that the above represents volunteer opportunities that may have openings at various times throughout the year.  For the most current volunteer needs, please email the Food Pantry.  Please include your name and phone number in the email and the volunteer assignment that is of particular interest to you.  You may also call us and leave a message. 

We’ll call you back!  Thank you for considering volunteering with this very busy ministry!

Ken Weinheimer
Ministry Contact
22 Lakeside Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
(Lower, rear; accessible from the municipal parking lot)
973-831-4442
foodpantry@stmarys-pompton.org

Mailing address
17 Pompton Ave
Pompton Lakes, NJ  07442
 

To donate food and household cleaning supplies please drop items off in the GRAY VAN located behind the church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes.

Fresh meat is now being accepted.  Please do not leave meat in the GRAY VAN or unattended at the pantry, at the church or in the parish office.Please bring meat donations to the food pantry, 22R (Lower level, Rear) Lakeside Avenue, Pompton Lakes (accessible from the municipal parking lot) during our scheduled food distribution dates. 

The St. Mary’s Food Pantry is open on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9:30AM to 3:30PM and the Wednesdays following these Saturdays from 4 to 7PM.  (Some months the schedule may vary due to certain holidays.)

Ken Weinheimer
Ministry Contact
22 Lakeside Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
(Lower, rear; accessible from the municipal parking lot)
973-831-4442
foodpantry@stmarys-pompton.org

Mailing address
17 Pompton Ave
​​​​​​​Pompton Lakes, NJ  07442