Ridgewood Social Service Stretched Heading into Holidays

The Ridgewood Social Service Association is hoping with the beginning of its push this week toward the holidays, some of their empty shelves will be replenished in time for Thanksgiving.

Denise Vollkommer, the executive director, said generous donations have been arriving as always, but the needs of clients have stretched the pantry thin.

“I think that the recession’s been kind of prolonged, and I think some of the people who normally donate are stretched themselves,” she said.

In addition to the regular Thanksgiving provisions the agency provides to clients, she said, the pantry is in need of fruit, tuna, hot cereal and soup.

“I don’t remember that ever happening before – that we were out of soup,” Vollkommer noted.

Serving families in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Waldwick, Wyckoff, Midland Park and Ho-Ho-Kus, the demands of the pantry spike at Thanksgiving, with meals anticipated for 587 people – regular clients and their guests.

For collections beginning Friday, the social service is especially seeking stuffing, cranberry, canned broth and gravy. Donations can be made at Village Hall in Ridgewood Friday as well as the following Monday and Tuesday.

Those with a turkey to spare are encouraged to make the donation Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Collections will also be made at each of the village’s schools, Vollkommer said.

“We need the things that make a Thanksgiving meal a meal,” she said.