Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Pine Plains food pantry celebrates new site, new start

Pine Plains food pantry celebrates new site, new start
Willow Roots Co-founders Lisa and Nelson Zayas, center, celebrated a new beginning for their food pantry in Pine Plains alongside members of the Willow Roots Board and volunteers at the pantry’s new distribution site at 7730 South Main St., after neighbors complained about their former site.
Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

PINE PLAINS — After the challenges they faced in their search for a new pantry space, Nelson and Lisa Zayas of Willow Roots wholeheartedly welcomed the community to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new space at 7730 South Main St. on Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. 

The pantry co-founders were brought before the town’s Planning Board as they did not have the proper permits to operate in a residential neighborhood, out of their North Main Street home. Neighbors on the adjoining street, Carla Terrace, began complaining last September that traffic on Saturday morning distribution days was disrupting their quality of life (for more, go to www.tricornernews.com). 

The Zayases are in litigation at the moment dealing with the matter; they are also in the midst of pursuing a major home occupation special-use permit. In the meantime, they’ve found a new home for their two-year-old pantry, thanks to the countless do-gooders in the community who contacted them with suggestions of where they could set up a new distribution site. The space that worked out is located on South Main Street.

And that’s where familiar faces in the community could be spotted, standing around the front of the new Willow Roots’ front entrance, waiting in hopeful anticipation.

“It’s a new beginning,” said Willow Roots Board Vice President Brett McCormack. “With winter, you see so many efforts happening behind the scene, roots if you will, and now that it’s spring, people are excited about positivity and change and new beginnings.”

The new set-up, McCormack said, will allow Willow Roots to grow and help more people, generating productive, rather than reactionary, change.

Walking out the front door, Lisa said she was touched to see so many people come out to watch the pantry take root in a new location. Nelson was soon spotted coming out the door with a ribbon in hand, which he pulled tautly across the entryway. 

Meanwhile, longtime volunteer Ray Christiansen passed green ribbons out to onlookers to tie onto the willow tree McCormack crafted and painted for the lobby.

Thanking everyone for their presence and letting grateful tears fall, Lisa said, “I love you all and I’m really proud to be part of Willow Roots. I always said that Willow Roots doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to everyone, and you definitely showed that when you rallied together to help us.”

Telling the story of how Willow Roots first took root in Pine Plains, Lisa introduced the group to Bruce Silvernale, whom she described as the willow root that started their work. From that moment on, she said they realized they were “going to need a bigger boat” and their efforts flourished as they continued to feed, clothe and provide for more people in need of support. 

Whether they’ve been a receiver or a giver of Willow Roots’ services, Lisa told the crowd that each and every one of them has become a part of the Willow Roots family.

“When we were asked to leave, or told we should leave… we had a hard time,” she admitted. “Nelson and I kept it quiet and then at one time we decided we were going to give up. We didn’t think we could go through with it anymore; we were tired and we thought that maybe the community didn’t really need us as much as we thought — and you guys all proved us wrong.”

It was with the community’s support, Lisa said, that she and Nelson realized Willow Roots didn’t belong to them at all and they had no right to make the decision to give up. Choosing instead to fight, they were able to secure the space that she said will be the pantry’s home for as long as the community still wants them. Previously occupied by the former thrift store, Pass It On, the Zayases learned of the space through its owner, Kyle Lougheed. 

Once the pantry’s board members and volunteers had a chance to speak their peace, the Zayases invited Silvernale to stand beside them to tie on the willow tree’s first ribbon, and with a snip of the scissors in Lisa’s hand, the ribbon was cut and the pantry was officially opened for operation. A line soon formed up the walkway for visitors to tour the new space and tie on ribbons, and volunteers began arriving to distribute food at 11 a.m., for a rare Sunday morning distribution.

As they toured the new Willow Roots space at 7730 South Main St., community members were invited to tie a ribbon on the willow tree crafted by Willow Roots Board Vice President Brett McCormack that’s stationed in the lobby. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

As they toured the new Willow Roots space at 7730 South Main St., community members were invited to tie a ribbon on the willow tree crafted by Willow Roots Board Vice President Brett McCormack that’s stationed in the lobby. Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

Latest News

Shaping the future of Amenia’s recreation planning

Tiffany Zezula, deputy director of the Pace Land Use Law Center of White Plains, presents early results of a survey of Amenia residents on their desires for local parks and recreation during a forum at Webutuck High School on Saturday, June 13. Residents were invited to hear a preliminary report on the ongoing study sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Commission to assist with charting the future of recreation and parks in Amenia.

Photo By Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Residents would like to see more amenities, programming and access at Amenia’s parks and recreational sites, according to preliminary results from a town recreation survey presented Saturday, June 13.

A status report was presented at the Webutuck High School auditorium on Saturday, June 13, by Engaging Amenia planning consultants from Pace Land Use Law Center of White Plains.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parking rules a hurdle for proposed Millerton apartments

MILLERTON — Plans for new apartments on South Center Street are facing uncertainty over parking regulations in the Village of Millerton.

The buildings have a total of four apartments located at 26-32 South Center St, though only three have been occupied in recent years. Owner Alex Magalhaes described plans to renovate the interior of the building and utilize the empty unit.

Keep ReadingShow less

Flea market seeks local vendors

Flea market seeks local vendors

MILLERTON — The North East/Millerton Climate Smart Task Force is seeking participants for a community-wide flea market set to coincide with Millerton’s 175th celebration.

The community-wide flea market will run throughout Millerton, with Eddie Collins Memorial Park serving as a central hub. Spaces at the park are available or sellers can run a sale at their own homes.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Self-storage and farm market plans move forward

PINE PLAINS — The Planning Board unanimously approved the environmental review for a proposed storage facility expansion and farm stand at 2818 Church St. during its meeting Wednesday, June 10.

The property, located across from the high school, would expand the neighboring Stissing Storage business. Steve Hobson of HTWO Properties presented updated site plans that include additional storage units at the rear of the lot and a free-standing farm stand near the road.

Keep ReadingShow less
Summer art opening shows off talent at The Fountains

Artistic talent is on display at the Fountains’ Summer Art Show, which opened Thursday, June 11. The exhibition features works by several residents and drew a strong turnout of artists and guests, who were welcomed on opening day by art instructor Ellen O’Shea.

Photo By Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — There is no shortage of talent at The Fountains in Millbrook evidenced by the opening of the Summer Art Show on Thursday, June 11.

Works of several residents are on display in the Gallery for the coming weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less

Francis Lynehan

Francis Lynehan

DOVER PLAINS — Francis “Butch” Lynehan, 75, a twenty-year resident of Dover Plains, New York, formerly of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Born Aug. 29, 1950, in Sharon, he was the son of the late William W. and Nellie (Kluun) Lynehan.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.