In our coverage this week about the challenge Fred’s Food Pantry faces to remain at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, we highlighted how the impasse began.

Since the pandemic, Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP), which operates the food pantry, has been giving away food twice a week. Pantry officials say they don’t see the need decreasing.  

St. Peter’s, who has housed the pantry at its location on Howard and N. Division streets, since it opened 13 years ago, says the extra day is causing wear and tear on their building and their expenses have increased.

The two have said they will continue to discuss ways to resolve their frayed relationship. 

The mandate in the Hebrew scriptures from the prophet Micah comes to mind and couldn’t be more clear, “ And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy.” – Micah 6:8

In an increasingly secular world, where big money and reactionary institutions assault the rights and freedoms of working-class people, many individuals dedicated to protecting the weakest often forget that religion remains one of the greatest foes of injustice. 

Whether it’s Pope John Paul II condemning politicians who tried to cut social services in the 90s; more recently Pope Francis exhorting against the culture of indifference; Desmond Tutu’s enduring commitment to fighting apartheid; or large sections of the Muslim and Jewish communities working alongside each other in the fight against oppression in America: religion has been indispensable in ensuring that the future is one that is more loving, caring, and free for all. While many, particularly on the left, may ignore or forget it, religion has played a crucial role in shaping a better future for everyone.

It is indeed ironic that this fracturing of the relationship between Fred’s Pantry and St. Peter’s comes during the holidays, when the North American secular culture traditionally takes a step away from its self absorption and becomes aware of those struggling to make ends meet. 

When religious institutions respond to glaring needs with secular criteria, such as cost benefit analysis, the mercy and justice directive takes a back seat. That appears to be the case here, and the result is a form of injustice at the hands of the very institution that has a long tradition of working for its eradication.