Mamaroneck, NY (October 14, 2010) -- In a move to dramatically reduce its use of paper bags for food distribution, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force, Inc. (known as the Food Pantry) has begun using eco-friendly, reusable bags instead of the hundreds of paper bags used previously.

In June, the Rotary Club of Larchmont asked Melinda Lehman, Food Pantry President, to visit one of its weekly luncheon meetings to present what the Food Pantry does and to determine how Rotary might help. After hearing about the eco-bag initiative, Rotary Club of Larchmont presented a grant for the purchase of several hundred bags, printed with the Rotary logo (see picture). Says Marilyn Masiero, Rotary Club of Larchmont President, "We are so pleased to offer our support to this valuable local resource for the community. The eco-bag initiative aligns perfectly with the goals of the Larchmont Rotary Club: to provide service to our local area – Larchmont and Mamaroneck."

Each family who receives food from the Food Pantry has been given these new bags with the understanding that they should return with them the next distribution to exchange for a new, filled bag of food. "We are so pleased and excited to be able to make this improvement in the way we distribute food," says Ms. Lehman. "The bags are made of recyclable material and are reusable, plus they are stronger so we can pack more food without worrying that the bags will break. The families we serve love them because they are easier to carry. So far people have been really great about returning the bags each time they come to the Pantry."

While obviously costing more than a paper bag, a new "green" bag will, in fact, pay for itself if a family returns it three times. Says Stephen Bartell, a Food Pantry volunteer and a Rotary member who spearheaded the project, "Our sincere hope is that the clients will get into the habit of returning these new bags at every distribution. If they do, this program will be very successful economically and environmentally."

Larchmont-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force, Inc. is a 501c3, not-for-profit organization. We welcome volunteers to assist us every two weeks with loading and packing food for our clients. Donations of either food or money are always welcome. Visit our web site at www.LMFoodPantry.org  for more information.

Rotary Club of Larchmont is the local club of Rotary International, a worldwide service organization whose motto is to provide "Service above Self" in the form of local, national and international initiatives. The "End Polio Now" campaign has been particularly successful, providing millions of immunizations worldwide. The Club meets every Friday at the Larchmont Yacht Club. Interested parties and guests are welcome. Contact Marilyn Masiero, 914-834-3101.

Photo captions:

The Rotary Club of Larchmont awarded a grant to the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force to produce "green" bags for its bi-weekly food distributions. Pictured here are club members showing off the reusable bags with Melissa Lehman, Food Pantry President (front row, fourth from right).

Photo captions:

The Rotary Club of Larchmont awarded a grant to the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force to produce "green" bags for its bi-weekly food distributions. Pictured here are club members showing off the reusable bags with Melissa Lehman, Food Pantry President (front row, fourth from right).

Marilyn Masiero, left, Rotary Club of Larchmont President, presents a check for the production of reusable bags to Melinda Lehman, Food Pantry President. The bags are used in the Food Pantry's bi-weekly food distributions.

The reusable bags, which sport the Rotary Club logo, replace hundreds of paper bags used by the Food Pantry in its bi-weekly food distributions.