Waterloo Rotarions come to aid of needy

Once again, Waterloo Rotarians have come to the aid of those in need. Continuing a tradition begun three years ago at the request of the late Rotarian Carm Speno, Rotarians held a Harvest Food Collection in honor of Carm’s birthday. The goal, as always, was to collect one food item for the Cayuga-Seneca Community Action Program for each year of Carm’s life. This year, Carm would have been 93 years old.But Rotarians didn’t stop at 93 food items. They donated a whopping 556 food items this year. The bags of canned good and boxes fresh produce were stacked nearly six feet high and filled Bill Velte’s truck when he delivered the food to the agency’s headquarters at 23 Center Street.“I think that’s just amazing,” said Rose Rathbone, CAP’s Seneca Program Director. “When that truck pulled in, we were just overjoyed. Our shelves were bare. We have had no protein to give to families for days.”Rose said CAP feeds about 100 families, or 300-400 people, a month. In addition to the Rotarians’ gift, CAP was blessed to receive 65 Thanksgiving baskets including turkeys from the Waterloo teachers, which will allow CAP to make sure Waterloo families in need have a happy Thanksgiving.Rathbone said there have been more requests for food at the food pantry this year than ever before.“We are seeing a large increase in families seeking food,” Rathbone said. This morning, we had four families in line at 9:15 a.m. One gentleman said he hadn’t had food in days.”Contributions of food, household goods and gently used clothing are welcome at Community Action Program. For more information, contact Rathbone at 315-539-5647.