John helping a patron at the New Life Food Cupboard at Temple Beth Sholom on 1161 Monroe Ave. [5/14/20 photos by David Kramer]
Started 42 years ago at the New Life Presbyterian Church on Rosedale Street off Monroe Avenue, the New Life Food Cupboard offers nutritious food of many varieties. In December 2018, the cupboard moved into its new home at Temple Beth Sholom on 1161 Monroe Avenue. The cupboard is sponsored by the South Presbyterian Church, an Acts of Faith Community.
During the pandemic, the volunteers — John, Janis and Char — think people may assume they are closed. Not at all. The temple building is closed, but the cupboard has set up shop in the temple parking lot off Pinnacle Road. Serving residents of zip codes 14620, 14607 and 14610, the cupboard is open 9:30 am – noon, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Thursdays (not Jewish holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas week). All are welcome.

Signs on the Pinnacle Rd. entrance pointing to the New Life Food Cupboard and the Used Clothing Drop-Off Shed

5/28/20. Janis (left) and patron Venus. Beth Sholom donated the Matzos. Venus heard about the cupboard from her niece who read the original story. [Photo: David Kramer]

5/28/20. Patron Venus. Venus encourages all to come to the cupboard. Venus says finding the cupboard may be at first a little confusing, but just follow the signs. Is everyone in her family named after a planet? According to Venus, there’s a definite galactic theme, as the family includes a Star, a Nova and a Mercury. [Photo: David Kramer]