Rumors

Webster’s defines rumor as general talk not based on definite knowledge, mere gossip, hearsay. Most of us have been victimized by them, including myself while teaching at HCCC and more recently, as a member of the Hunger Coalition. Rumors are hurtful, hateful, insidious with detrimental effects. In my case, they almost cost me my job. In their wake, reputations are sullied, characters assassinated, businesses ruined, charitable organizations deprived of potential donors. All it takes is one person with an axe to grind to light the fire. Sadly, functionally illiterate people buy into it, spread the word and, like a snowball rolling down a hill, it multiplies exponentially. People who love to gossip, and they’re everywhere, lie in wait for that “juicy tidbit” to surface, never bothering to check out its veracity. And by the time the truth is known, it’s too late. The damage has been done.

At a recent meeting of the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition, a visitor informed us of a rumor circulating in Little Falls that the local food pantry wasn’t fulfilling its obligation to those at hunger risk, that there wasn’t any food on the shelves. The rumor-monger obviously never took the time to ascertain the truth by visiting the local pantry (45 Furnace St.), one of the county’s finest, coordinated by Sue Tucker. If they had, they’d have noted that the shelves were filled and several volunteers, including my fellow LFHS alumnus Emily Sokol, were available to serve its many clients. Readers ought to take some time and visit the facility whose hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12:00-2:00 PM; also consider joining us and pantry reps at the Coalition’s next meeting at 6 PM at the Herkimer Elks Lodge on Tuesday, December 9th. I don’t expect the gossipers to take me up on the invite-they’re too busy cooking up the next rumor.

Folks up Kuyahoora way need to visit their food pantry located between Newport and Poland on Rte. 28. This model for rural pantries is coordinated by Dennis Rizzo and aided by some 16 volunteers. His operation averages 150-160 families per month and, as he related to me, the numbers have risen significantly over the past couple of weeks, possibly due to the government shut down. Like other pantries, his also provides hygiene products. As a bonus, the Food Bank of Central N.Y. (google it up-you’ll be amazed at what it does) provides gift certificates good for a gallon of milk. Note: Eligibility for using the pantry is based on federal guidelines. Other county pantries doing the job can be located in Herkimer, Ilion, West Winfield, Richfield Springs, Dolgeville, Van Hornesville and Old Forge.

So, in conclusion, I’d like to remind members of the rumor mill to get a life and/or counseling. And to people in the community whose generosity helps keep those shelves filled and the Coalition going, God bless and thanks for giving.