Food Pantry Cuts It Close

       After distributing 363 meals for Thanksgiving at its East Hampton and Amagansett locations, the East Hampton Food Pantry on Tuesday was estimating that it would distribute 400 food parcels to its clients for Christmas dinners.

       Reached that afternoon, Gabrielle Scarpaci, the pantry’s executive director, said that the pantry, which was running short of money as Thanksgiving approached, is starting to receive donations in response to its annual appeal letter.

       “The money is starting to come in,” she said. “We are nowhere near where we need to be, but the checks are coming in. Most are small, but every little bit helps.”

       There was one notable exception. Ben Krupinski, an East Hampton builder and entrepreneur, made a $10,000 donation earlier this month.

       “That was incredibly generous of him,” said Ms. Scarpaci, who before Thanksgiving said the pantry, which spends $4,000 to $5,000 a week buying food, was down to its last $20,000.

       The food pantry, which is located in the community room at the Windmill II apartments on Accabonac Road and at the St. Michael’s senior housing complex in Amagansett, will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

       It will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 7, when it serves clients in East Hampton from 2 to 6 p.m. and Amagansett residents from 4 to 6 p.m.

       Ms. Scarpaci said donations are always welcome. Checks can be sent to East Hampton Food Pantry, 219-50 Accabonac Road, East Hampton 11937.