There’s a lot of food insecurity in the Town of Webster.
That simple statement surprises many people, because Webster is not considered an impoverished town, by a long shot. But here are a few staggering statistics:
- 5 percent of Webster’s 45,000 residents lived below the poverty line at the time of the 2020 Census. That’s more than 2,200 people from about 1,000 households across the town.
- 4.4 percent of families in Webster Central School district with children ages 5-17 – more than 1,140 families – lived in poverty in the 2023-24 school year.
- 5 percent of households in the school district – 1,300 of them – were eligible for food stamps in the 2023-24 school year.
Fortunately, there are many agencies and volunteers in our area working hard to help our neighbors in need. One of those agencies is the Webster Community Chest which, in addition to hosting individual families and holding regular food giveaway events, has for the last two years adopted the Phillips Village Food Pantry.
The Community Chest volunteers behind that effort are looking for other caring neighbors to join their team. Here’s a message I received from Kathy Taddeo, one of those volunteers:
HELPING THE FOOD INSECURE IN WEBSTER
Have you been wondering how you might help the food insecurity issue in Webster? Maybe you’ve not much available time and need a flexible schedule but don’t know where to find a program that fits?
The 14 Phillips Village Pantry Volunteers are ready to welcome new members.
This congenial group began as a Webster Community Chest program in 2024 with four deliveries a month. Currently, the program delivers food to Phillips Village, Webster’s largest subsidized housing community three to four times a week, year-round.
Once a month, each volunteer purchases, donates and delivers food to the inside and/or outside pantries near the office of this lovely 500-unit neighborhood. The team meets once a year to reconnect with each other, review the past year and plan to grow and improve the next year’s program.
If this sounds like it might fit into your life, please contact the Webster Community Chest at 671-2060 or webcommchest@gmail.org. Please leave a message with your name and phone number or email and your interest in the Phillips Village Pantry. Kathy will get back to you with details and an opportunity to ask questions.
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(posted 9/25/2026)
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