The Island Food Pantry attracted a record of 160 visits in one week last February; a record income of $63,419 for the season; and a record for food expenditures of $56,758, coordinator Armen Hanjian reported after the pantry closed for the season.

The food pantry operates regular hours from mid October to mid April. Those in need can come to the food pantry once every two weeks on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 2 and 4 p.m. The pantry also responds to emergencies throughout the year.

Visits to the food pantry increased this year from 1,686 to 2,050 visits. The service assisted 486 families representing at least 860 people on the Vineyard including at least 170 children. In addition, granola bars were provided to the elementary schools for breakfast supplements.

Of the 486 families, 200 came only once or twice (last year the number was 130), and 186 came six or more times (last year it was 140). Last year 170 said they were unemployed; this year 230 reported being without employment, and 162 gave no answer regarding employment. Last year the food pantry averaged 65 visits a week; this year the average was 81 visits a week.

Rev. Helen Oliver inaugurated the Island Food Pantry as an outreach program of Christ United Methodist Church in 1981. In 28 years, it has expanded from a one-person effort to a ministry including over 55 volunteers. The pantry has been supported by all the faith communities on the Island, the Vineyard Committee on Hunger, by Islanders, schools, businesses, summer visitors and organizations. The Island Club Card members provided $1,830. The Rotary Club provided an institutional stainless steel refrigerator. Soprano Lia Kahler’s concert, Still The Hunger, provided $10,000 to the food pantry’s endowment fund. The food pantry receives no government food or funds.

The pantry reports its income increased by $11,643 over last year. It spent $15,098 more on food than last year. Seven out of the past eleven years, the food pantry had spent more than it received. Its endowment covered the shortages. Those funds were given in memory of Kevin Kennedy, Daniel Alisio and Sayan Kasem.

The food pantry’s goal is to maintain the original gift and use the growth in the endowment to cover income shortages or special projects, as it did when making the entryway handicapped accessible. The group encourages any supporters to include the Island Food Pantry in their wills so it will be able to meet future needs.

To communicate to both English and Portuguese speakers, the pantry maintains a Web site, islandfoodpantry.org.

The pantry has no paid staff. All gifts provide food for the Island community. A contribution is made to the church to help cover costs of heat, light and garbage removal. The pantry has an advisory board; its books are audited.

“For the wonderful cooperation of the Church and the community, I am sincerely thankful,” Mr. Hanjian wrote in his annual statement. “Best of all, our volunteers have worked hard and kept a positive attitude. I am grateful to be a part of such a caring community.”