United Way funding helps improve client choice model at ACCORD’s Pantry

ACCORD’s ACCESS Center Food Pantry has recently enhanced its client choice model, making food selection more personalized and efficient. The Center now utilizes an inventory list organized by food groups aligned with the USDA’s MyPlate recommendations.

This list, updated daily by staff based on available stock, allows clients to choose foods they are likely to consume — similar to shopping at a grocery store.

While some clients still prefer traditional pre-packaged food boxes, many appreciate the flexibility of selecting their own items. One client was pleasantly surprised to have the ability to choose, while another expressed how the choice model better accommodated their autistic son’s food preferences. Previously, finding suitable options at a food pantry had been challenging, but the new approach offers greater accessibility to preferred foods.

Clients often express curiosity when introduced to this updated food selection method. As staff explain how the model works, it becomes an excellent opportunity for engagement and learning. Allowing individuals to choose their own foods not only aligns with personal dietary needs but also reduces food waste. Additionally, the client choice model encourages discussions about nutrition and the sharing of recipes that incorporate pantry staples. Some clients even contribute their own recipes and canning tips, which staff can pass along to others who utilize the pantry.

Building on the success of this inventory-based system, the pantry plans to implement new software to further enhance efficiency. The upgraded technology will improve inventory tracking, streamline ordering, and reduce the time it takes for clients to make their food selections.

ACCORD is the designated community action agency for Allegany County. For more information about ACCORD programs, call (585) 268-7650 or visit www.accordcorp.org.

ACCORD’s ACCESS Center: A Lifeline for the Community

ACCORD’s ACCESS Center serves as a vital one-stop resource for community members seeking support. The center provides a wide range of services, including a food pantry, referrals, advocacy, and assistance with home heating applications. When funding is available, it also offers personal care items and small one-time grants for emergency expenses such as transportation, clothing, household repairs, or furnishings. The friendly staff take great pride in uplifting neighbors facing the challenges of living in poverty.

The following is a reflection from a staff member about a memorable experience helping a client:

As she sat down in front of me, she hesitated before speaking. “I haven’t been here in a while,” she said, “and I’m not sure if you can even help me, but something was telling me to come in anyways.”

At ACCORD, we hear that sentiment often. And personally, I love being able to respond, “Yes, we can help with that!”

As we talked, I learned that she had previously been a client of ACCORD’s Food Pantry and Housing programs. She had secured stable housing and was incredibly proud of her progress. “I’m not only caught up on my rent,” she shared, “but I’m actually a month ahead—just in case something happens and I need extra money.”

She explained that while she and her husband now had enough funds to purchase their own food and pay bills on time, there was little left for other essentials. For years, they had gone without basic items like clothing. She admitted, somewhat embarrassed, that she had been wearing the same socks and pants multiple times a week because she simply couldn’t afford anything new. “I’m actually wearing my best outfit right now,” she confessed.

I was able to provide her with referrals to local clothing closets that offer low-cost or free clothing. In addition, her family qualified for gift cards thanks to a generous donation to the ACCESS Center just months earlier. When I told her she could receive Old Navy gift cards, her eyes lit up with joy.

“I knew there was a reason I came in today!” she exclaimed, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Moments like these remind me why I love my job as a Services Navigator at ACCORD. We provide more than just assistance. We offer dignity, relief, and a renewed sense of hope for those in need. Everyday necessities that many take for granted can make a world of difference for the people we serve.