John and Patrick Flynn are in their second year of college, but, here at home, their family – parents Pat and AnnMarie Flynn and siblings Ryan and Mickey – and a whole lot of volunteers made sure that the food drive that operates each Thanksgiving in their name went on.

Two weeks ago, a slew of volunteers headed out into the community with brown paper bags and left them on any front porch they could find. Then, a week later, many of the same volunteers (but also a bunch of new ones) headed out to collect those bags – now full, thanks to the generosity of the community.

The donations went to the Sacred Heart Church food pantry. Always willing to share with the Holy Innocents Food Pantry, they did not need to this year since Holy Innocents recently got a large delivery from another donation source. Sallie Dorsch, who runs the Sacred Heart Pantry, said. Both pantries (which operate on an alternate week schedule) are feeding 60-90 families per week. She added that donations via the Flynn drive were slightly lower than usual this year – she attributes that to the increase in grocery prices, as well as more struggling families in the community.

Those who missed the donation but still want to donate can get in touch with Dorsch at 845-521-5364. Those who need food assistance can visit the Sacred Heart pantry from 10:30 a.m.-noon on the first and third Wednesday of the month, and Holy Innocents pantry from 4-5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Most needed items right now at Sacred Heart, Dorsch said, are pasta sauce, cereal and rice.