b'MY HAPPY PLACEVolunteering at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the OrangesBY HARRIET SIGERMANVolunteers are the backbone of the IFPO, They register clients for the food pantry, un-pack boxes of food and carry food bags to cars, and more. O nmostWednesdays,retired, views the IFPO as my happy place. Itsboxes of food, carry food bags to cars, deliver food theInterfaithFoodreally helping a lot of people that need the help.to clients who are homebound, help clients pick PantryoftheOrangesAll the clients here are very thankful and conver- out items at food stations, monitor the flow of (IFPO) is a busy, buzz- sational. Everybody is just working through what- food at these stations to make sure theyre always ing place full of smilesever situation they are in. Its a safe place to be. I and friendly chatter. Itgo home every week [from] my happy place.is a volunteer-run foodLocated at 357 S. Jefferson Street in Orange, pantry designed to meet the needs of food-inse- thepantryprovidesclientswithfreshfruitand cure residents who live primarily in Orange, Eastvegetables, milk, eggs, meat or fish, cereal, pasta Orange and West Orange.and canned food items. On a monthly basis cli-Guided by the motto of service with dignityents also receive toiletries, menstrual care products and respect, the IFPO is a special place for clients,andhome-cleaningsupplies.Aspecialdiaper who receive much-needed food items and otherprogram provides 100 diapers and three packs of services; for their children, who can choose freewipes (or two packs and ointment) to clients who books from the book table; and for volunteers,live in Orange, East Orange or West Orange and whofeelprofoundsatisfactioninhelpingtheirwho have children under the age of 3. neighbors. Volunteers are the backbone of this operation.Volunteer Diana Galer welcomes newcomers to the Rob Depue, who started volunteering after heThey register clients for the food pantry, unpackfood pantry and adds them to the IFPO waiting list.32/ matters magazine / fall 2025'