Calverton Woman 'Volunteer Of Year' For Work To Feed Hungry On LI

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Calverton volunteer who works tirelessly to feed the hungry in her community was honored recently, named "Volunteer of the Year" by Long Island Cares.

Long Island Cares recently held its annual conference for those who run the food pantries where the organization distributes food.

At the conference, Calverton resident Nancy Trofemuk, who volunteers at Open Arms Care Center in Riverhead, was named Volunteer of the Year, according to Long Island Cares.

Zona Stroy, who spearheads efforts at the Open Arms Care Center in Riverhead, nominated Trofemuk.

"For more than five years, Nancy has been managing the on-site operations of Open Arms emergency food pantry," Stroy said.

The organization has a drive-up distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday every week, she said.

"Nancy ensures we are ready to greet clients with prepared bags and boxes of non-perishable food, frozen food, produce, pet foods, and miscellaneous household and personal items. Nancy has made sure we have an adequate supply of food and enough volunteers to maintain a smooth distribution, even with three-to-four times our pre-pandemic client numbers and up to 120 clients on some Wednesdays, our busiest day. Nancy has kept the pantry operating every week through the last two pandemic years, closing only one day in a snowstorm."

Describing Trofemuk's unique skills, Stroy said: "Nancy manages a very diverse group of volunteers — diverse in age, ethnicity, work and life experience, and several client volunteers. She has created an extraordinary team that loves volunteering, helping clients and helping each other, making suggestions for improving our operation, and recruiting other volunteers and donors."

In addition, Stroy said Trofemuk partners with several agencies that support people with developmental disabilities and provides volunteer opportunities for their clients.

"Nancy has a well-developed talent of recognizing precisely what each volunteer needs and allowing each one to leverage their natural strengths and make their best contribution," she said. "She has a keen sense of humor, a caring spirit and incredible patience."

While Open Arms only distributes two days each week, Trofemuk is often found working in the pantry receiving food, stocking shelves, and preparing bags four or five days each week, Stroy said. In addition to receiving food at the pantry, two days each week at 7:45 a.m., she is tasked with accompanying a volunteer to receive food from a local warehouse, transporting the food to the pantry, and then stocking the shelves.

"Nancy is always available to receive unexpected donations of food and/or respond to a client emergency," Stroy said.

Tromefuk manages a core set of volunteers, and an ad hoc group of volunteers "who are delighted to serve when their busy schedules allow," Stroy said. "The First Baptist Church of Riverhead donates space and utilities to our pantry, and the church is proud of the contribution we make to people in need to prevent hunger."

Her presence and service have had a profound impact on those struggling with food insecurity, Stroy said.

"The clients we serve know Nancy’s care, and they see how often she is in the pantry," Stroy said. "They are grateful for the work she personally puts in, the friendly team of volunteers she has put together — and the fact that she never turns anybody away. On Wednesdays, the line of cars goes out into the street, and none of the clients mind waiting. Some have been clients for several years, and they appreciate how Nancy and our friendly crew have responded to the tremendous increase in clients. Clients know we care enough to do our very best for them."

Despite the honor, Tromefuk remained humble: “I can’t do enough. It’s not about me. When I go to Open Arms, I know a kid or a parent will be fed. I love helping people.”