Samaritan Center Feeds the Hungry

REPORTER- ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING PROBLEMS THE SAMARITAN CENTER ENCOUNTERS IS MENTAL HEALTH.
THE CENTER’S SPOKESPERSON NORI GARTNER-BACA SAYS EVEN WITH CONSTANT EFFORTS, A THIRD OF THEIR VISITORS REMAIN HOMELESS.
GARTNER-BACA- THEY HAVE TO BE WILLING TO ASK FOR HELP, WHICH IS A STUMBLING BLOCK UNFORTUNATELY.
REPORTER- MANY OF THEIR VISITORS USE OR HAVE USED DRUGS IN THE PAST. DRUG USE OFTEN PREVENTS THEM FROM MOVING FORWARD IN LIFE.
GARTNER SAYS THIS KEEPS THEM FROM ACCEPTING HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
GARTNER-BACA- THEY DON’T WANT TO BE INDOORS, THEY FEEL SAFER OUTDOORS.
REPORTER- THE CENTER CONTINUES TO ASSIST WHENEVER VSITORS ARE WILLING TO THEIR HELP.
GARTNER SAYS TILL THEN, THE BEST THEY CAN DO IS AT LEAST PROVIDE A HOT MEAL.
DEEPANJALI SHARMA, N-C-C NEWS.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- The Samaritan Center in Syracuse is making an effort to feed the growing underprivileged community in the city. The center, without a fail, provides all three meals to people throughout the week.

According to the institution, every day between 150 and 200 people attend each meal, the majority of whom depend on the program for the whole week.

A recent U.S. census data shows that 100,000 people in the city struggle with poverty.

The center aims to fight hunger in the greater Syracuse community, as their sign reads “No one goes hungry.”

“The community is in great need,” said Nori Gartner-Baca, the center’s events and communication specialist. She said, “The recent inflation spiked grocery prices which has made the center a necessity for some of our guests.”

The center has many other programs to help the community such as assistance with employment, housing, and even legal services. “Our priority, first and foremost, is serving a hot nutritious meal,” said Garter.

For this Wednesday the center has partnered with the CNY diaper bank to help young families in the community with diapers and baby formula.

“We’ll have a bunch of families come down and they can pick up diapers, formula, clothing toys, different things to assist them with their needs,” said Gartner-Baca.

Garter said one of the center’s visitors, who was previously homeless, recently enrolled in college because of assistance from the center.

A third of their visitors are homeless, a second third are employed but struggling every day, and the final third only make $200 per month or less, said Gartner-Baca.

The center currently relies on 1000 volunteers every year and about 93% of their funding comes from donations, according to Gartner-Baca.

Every day around 2:30PM volunteers help the center with preparing meals in this kitchen. The kitchen follows all health violation codes.
© 2023 Deepanjali Sharma