Giving Rye: Meet Giving Tree Global “Bread of Life”
Giving Rye is a new occasional feature highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Sherri Falco of Giving Tree Global “Bread of Life”.
Your Name: Sherri Falco
Organization: Giving Tree Global “Bread of Life”
Your role: Co-founder
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Falco: Our mission is to share the love of God in tangible ways by providing for our neighbors in need. We do this by providing food, children’s clothing, essentials, and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Falco: We are located in Rye and have been operating since 2013.
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Falco:
- We are best known for our Bread of Life food pantry distribution which takes place on alternate Mondays from 10 to 12.
- Our food rescue is conducted 7 days a week in the early morning hours. We pick up excess food from grocery stores and deliver it to 14 different local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and senior centers throughout southern Westchester County.
- We deliver food to low income senior centers, along with cards and other handmade items from school children made specifically for our seniors. This is how we show them that their lives matter.
Looking forward to 2025, what will be your top initiatives?
Falco:
- We are building more opportunities for community involvement, including company volunteer and youth opportunities.
- We are actively expanding the number of our food drop off sites.
- We are expanding our community partnerships with other non-profit organizations.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Falco: We serve the working poor, seniors, single mothers, and low-income families experiencing food insecurity.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Falco: Yes, we are a 501(c)(3)
Looking back across 2024, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Falco:
- We added 4 new low income senior centers as part of our food rescue recipients.
- We saw a large increase in student-led hunger initiatives.
- Through our local partnerships, we were better able to provide needed support for our food clients that extended beyond food and met other essential needs.
How can local residents support your organization?
Falco: Financial support is critical for us as we deliver the rescued food to the food pantries, soup kitchens, etc. free of charge. We believe that the rescued food should be free to those who expend their energy giving it out to those in need. There are a number of volunteer opportunities right in Rye from packing bags to doing food drives and, of course, distributing the food to our food recipients at our Rye food pantry.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Falco: Serendipity Labs, Meera Agarwal, the Harwoods, Liz Woods, Laura Becton, Amanda Cavanaugh, Brian Ahrens and there are so many more. I don’t like listing them because there just isn’t enough room to name them all.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Falco: I have been in this role since 2013 as I am co-founder
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Falco: My role is full-time.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Falco: Compassionate
Where did you grow up?
Falco: I grew up in Idaho.
What is your favorite unimportant thing about you?
Falco: I love animals
If the next five years is a chapter in your life, what is this chapter about?
Falco: This chapter is about making every moment count and loving everyone well.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Falco: I am not afraid so I would be doing what I am doing.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Falco: We have lived on Orchard Avenue for 27 years.
Thanks Sheri!
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