06/01/2026
IRONDEQUOIT COMMUNITY CUPBOARD, INC.
2841 Culver Road
Rochester, NY 14622
(585) 336-9107
[email protected]
Mission: “To provide emergency assistance to Irondequoit residents with dignity, kindness and without prejudice.”
June 2026
Dear Friends,
I cannot believe it is June already!! This means college graduations, school will be out for kids, BBQ’s, etc. A busy time for all of us.
Before I continue, I am now filling the calendar with volunteer work dates for July, August and September. If you are a current volunteer, and would like to continue, please email the dates you are NOT available to come in. I will then confirm dates with you before I put you on the calendar.
We can all see the higher prices in the grocery stores but imagine if you are already someone who is trying to put food on their tables. https://www.newsweek.com/grocery-prices-are-rising-again-in-2026-its-just-the-start-12007755
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/30410-rising-input-costs-may-lift-us-food-inflation-higher
Picture children coming home from school without any snacks in the cabinets or refrigerator, this is detrimental to growing bodies and active brains. Food insecurity effects school age children more than most; making it harder to concentrate, having frustrating outbursts, and overall sadness, anxiety and depression. Picture the adults in their households skipping meals to make sure their children have food. Picture a senior who skips meals so their pets can eat. The picture isn’t pretty. We have been able to provide food and snacks to those who come to ICC because of you.
Now picture the household earner not having enough money to get to work due to increase in gas prices https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/gas-prices-iran-war-state-national-cost-trump-rcna265835
Lastly picture households who are able to help assist their households with SNAP. As of June 1st, the requirements have changed making it more difficult to access this benefit. You may think the requirements are reasonable, but they aren’t reasonable for everyone, especially when the requirements aren’t easy to prove, and DHS has a huge backlog. Picture not being able to afford to get where you need to go because of gas prices, lack of car and lack of accessibility with public transportation in the suburbs. https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/government-benefits/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-snap-work-rules/ -is-this-happening Something you may not think about is that a household automatically qualifies for HEAP (Home energy assistance program) if they receive SNAP. If they don’t receive SNAP this is another expensive burden on the household.
In Monroe County the rise in homelessness is heart wrenching. Imagine coming home from work or school and finding your belongings on the street or only having an hour to get your needed items and get out. Many families with school age children are facing this horrible reality. Many moving house to house being able to stay with friends or family but many are not. https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2026-05-26/monroe-countys-worsening-homeless-problem-more-people-and-a-system-ill-equipped-to-help
I know I am providing a lot of information here and it is disturbing, but it is a reality facing too many people, including in Irondequoit. We, at ICC, are so grateful for all of you who help us provide cash donations, food, paper goods, personal hygiene, weekend food backpacks for children, snacks to our elementary schools in Irondequoit and pet food to all of the guests in our community who call for assistance.
On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, we thank you!
Sincerely,
Debbie Evans, President
Here is our current Top 10 List:
Macaroni and cheese
Baked beans and pork and beans
Red and garbanzo beans
Powder drink mixes for summer months
Microwavable pouches of flavored rice
Pasta sauce WITHOUT meat or mushrooms
Dish soap
Laundry detergent
All-purpose cleaner (without bleach please)
Canned salmon
*We do NOT need pet food at this time.
More homeless are finding refuge outdoors, casting into public view an entrenched and long-standing problem of inadequate shelter space and underfunded, ill-equipped systems.
