Local resident Ellen St. John founded the Cooperstown Food Pantry in 1977. Ellen started out storing and distributing food from a cupboard in the Village Library of Cooperstown. Ellen saw a need, and worked diligently and selflessly to help food-insecure neighbors in need. She continuing leading the Cooperstown Food Pantry for 36 years.
Seeing a need, and taking action to address it: this is what Ellen St. John did when she started the Food Pantry, and it is what our volunteers, donors, staff, and community partners do as we work together to address poverty and hunger in Otsego County.
Today, we recognize individuals who make gifts of $1,000 or more per year to the Cooperstown Food Pantry as members of the Ellen’s Cupboard Society. Their generosity makes the work of the Food Pantry possible. Thank you.
To find out more about the Ellen’s Cupboard Society, which was started in 2024, please contact Will Kleffner, 607-547-8902.