To the Editor:

The board of the Waddington Family Resource Center has decided to move the Center to a new location. The board consists of Art Garno, Tee Harvey, Joan Loomis, Arlene Martin, Molly Pressey, Edna Raleigh, and George Sehring. Most of these members have not been here on a food distribution day and have no real idea of our activities.

As volunteers, we feel this is a bad decision for several reasons.

The new location has approximately half the space of our present location. The access from the main road is very narrow, thus making our food and fresh produce deliveries from Syracuse extremely difficult, if not impossible. The parking area is smaller, and is uneven and unpaved.

The access lane is shared with the Methodist Church. When there is a funeral or other function at the church, we will not be able to be open, thus denying our clients much needed services and food for their families.

The rent for the new location will be more than the discounted rent paid now. Add in the cost of the renovations made to the building, and it will be considerably more.

The center provides food and extremely low cost clothing and household items to around 60 individuals and families in the Waddington/Chase Mills/Madrid/Lisbon area. People depend on our pantry when their own are nearing empty.

The director, volunteers, and some clients have tried to speak to the board members about these concerns, but they have been continually ignored.

We urge any of our clients and donors who share our concerns to voice their own opinions to a board member or to your clergy as soon as possible.

Pat Ball, James Bond, Tee (June) Harvey, Amy Miller, Evelyn Miller and Helen Philips

Waddington Family Resource Center volunteers