The Cryer Center continues to provide a number of charitable services to benefit the Middlesex County community. Dave Cryer is chairman of the Cryer Center Food Pantry, as well as the center’s facility chairman, its outreach director and Hands Across Middlesex vice president.
This month, Cryer released a list of facts on the center and its related operations during the previous year. “I wanted to give a summary of the operations I was directly involved with during 2023, which was a record year and could not have been accomplished without (the community’s) help,” Cryer wrote in an email to volunteers.
He noted the center:
- Operates with volunteers, up to 125 individuals, working hundreds of hours per week. It employs no paid personnel.
- Never charges an individual or family it assists.
- Offers emergency home repair to families, especially seniors, to have repairs done so they can remain in their homes. If applicable, it will also install a temporary handicap ramp.
- May supply the individuals and families it serves with appliances and household items, including furniture, linen/bedding, kitchenware, etc. These items are provided from its yard sale events in which families in need can shop with a voucher.
- Every morning of the year (except Christmas day) a center volunteer goes to Food Lion in Saluda to pick up surplus food. Recently they have also started pickups at two of Middlesex County’s Dollar General stores.
- Its Clothing Closet is open monthly to its families to shop, without charge.
- Its Backpack Buddy program provides weekend meals (two breakfasts, lunches and dinners) to children in the schools when the free lunch and breakfast programs are not available.
- This impressive list continues…
There's more to this story...
Are you a subscriber? Log in
Many more news articles, photos and ads are available only to those who subscribe to our printed newspaper or our online e-Edition.
Pick up a copy or Subscribe today!
| e-Edition | Printed version |
For assistance, call 804-758-2328.
In 2023, the center’s food pantry averaged serving 419 families a month; the previous high was in 2022 at 370.
In 2023 it had a total of 5,023 family distributions; the previous high was also 2022 at 4,445 distributions. “This means our packing crew packed 5,023 bags!” Cryer said.
You may also call the Cryer Center at 804-758-2044 if you have a need or would like to make a donation.
