HILLSDALE—The Pascack Pi-oneers are rolling up their sleeves to tackle food insecurity right here in the Pascack Valley. This Sunday, Sept. 22, the team will support ShopRite of Hillsdale as it celebrates 25 years of the Partners in Caring program with a food pantry drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The team tells Pascack Press that local pantries need our readers’ help, and this is your chance to make a difference.
Meet representatives from the Tri-Boro Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon and Helping Hand Food Pantry from noon to 3 p.m. They will be on hand to share information about their work and ways you can support their efforts. To prepare, visit https://team1676.com and pick up the pantries’ wish lists, which detail much-needed items, and consider donating as you do your shopping. (You can also grab a list at the store entrance.)
ShopRite’s collection bins—Pascack Pi-oneers builds, naturally—by the inner store exit, will accept your contributions of non-perishable food items any day.
The team emphasizes that food insecurity isn’t a problem happening elsewhere—it’s here in our neighborhoods.
About participating food pantries
Helping Hand Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, says it serves approximately 400 of our neighbors every month. Seniors, veterans, active-duty military members, and disabled residents rely on the food and support provided by Helping Hand, run entirely by dedicated volunteers. Helping Hand serves residents from Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, Oradell, River Vale, Washington Township, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake.
The Tri-Boro Food Pantry says more than 90% of the families it serves are from the Tri-Boro area, underscoring that hunger is an issue right here at home. From basic groceries like soup and cereal to household necessities like diapers and dish soap, the pantry provides a lifeline to many in need.
Why the Pascack Pi-oneers are stepping up
The Pascack Pi-oneers FIRST Team 1676 have always been about more than just building robots, and this isn’t its first foray into the cause of alleviating hunger. Based in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, the team blends its passion for STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—with a commitment to community service. The Pi-oneers operate out of Pascack Hills High School, with members also coming from Pascack Valley High School, and have grown from 35 members in their first year in 2004–2005 to 70 today. Pascack Press has seen that team members don’t just build; they lead, learn, and give back.