1 OCTOBER 2020 –PARK RIDGE ROTARY CLUB MEETING VIA ZOOM
Flag Salute: Dan Antokal
Four Way Test: Bob Bustard
Invocation: Larissa Romero
Members Present: Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Terry Ciulla, Bernie Cohen, Jan Doornbosch, Steve Fox, Stuart Gold, Linda Hanlon, Harriet Kallet, Fay Logan, Vicky Meo, Larissa Romero, Cindy Rose
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Janelle Larghi- Director TribBoro FoodPantry, Fred Rohdieck AG Rotary District#7490, Eliot Siegel SouthWestmarketing.com , Amgad Wassef- local Park Ridge business owner Park Ridge Pharmacy
Announcements:
• The next Board meeting is Thursday October 15 at 7 PM. All are invited.
Sunshine
•
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with
adversity of one type or another.
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
• Fay Logan’s wife, Helen, celebrated her birthday
• Stuart Gold celebrated his 84th birthday
Happiness:
• Most present were happy to welcome guests Janelle Larghi, Fred Rohdieck, Eliot Siegel, and Amgad Wassef
• Fay was happy about his son’s attendance at the Naval Academy in Annapolis
• June was happy about her younger son’s recording contract and her older son’s commitment to talk to the club about strides in cancer research
• Jan was happy that he ran the 5K last week
• Bob was happy that the dictionaries arrived for distribution to grade school students
• Terry was happy that she made it through the week and her upcoming installment on 10/11/20 to be Deacon of Missions for Pascack Reformed church in Park Ridge
• Guest and Assistant Governor, Fred Rohdieck, is happy the District is getting involved in International efforts as well as feeding families in America
• Steve Fox his son received a permanent job offer from Black Rock
• Linda Hanlon was happy that her mother was strong enough to hold a book and read, especially since the book (The Great Secret) was about her Rotary Mentor and friend, Steward Alexander
• Dan was happy about the success of the virtual 5K run
Program:
On October 1, 2020 at a virtual meeting via Zoom, Park Ridge Rotary members welcomed guest Janelle Larghi and member, Larissa Romero, who delivered a presentation the Triboro Food Pantry.
Janelle opened her talk by thanking our Club for its tremendous support. She commented that in January the Pantry served approximately 108 in a month; currently that has grown to 110+ families in a week. In addition, several social workers pick up food for six to eight families every week.
Currently, the Food Pantry is planning ahead for Thanksgiving and the challenges associated with trying to provide so many families with a good Thanksgiving dinner.
Members asked several questions about what the Food Pantry needs in the future, e.g., gift certificates, cash, donations of food, etc. Several offers of help were made, including contacts, pharmaceutical supplies, manpower help, etc. One thing Janelle mentioned that most do not consider is personal hygiene products as part of what pantry can offer – inventory always low. Just to have soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, common products All are welcome.
Larissa Romero, Pastor of the Pascack Reformed Church, and Park Ridge Rotary member expanded on the Church’s focus on gathering donations as well as support for the mental health center and their affiliate home in Old Bridge, NJ. Terry Ciulla, Park Ridge Rotary member is about to become the Mission Deacon of the Church and will keep us informed on their needs.