The Riverside Church Food Pantry at Claremont and 120th St. run by Rita Marie Trucios, executive director (right) offers groceries for low-income families in Upper Manhattan. Trucios is pictured with Jaritt Saunders, social services assistant.

Very few social service agencies have emerged unscathed from the painful economic crisis triggered by the World Trade Center tragedy. In Morningside Heights, the Riverside Church Food Pantry is feeling the harsh effects. "The number of clients we serve has doubled since September 11th," said Rita Marie Trucios, executive director of the pantry. "As we get closer to the holidays, it will get worse."

The Riverside Pantry, along with dozens of community agencies in Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley and Harlem, have been able to offer an array of services with the support of the Columbia Community Service (CCS) Appeal. Now in its 55th year, the annual campaign has placed a special emphasis on the predicament of local community programs.

In a letter to officers and staff, Columbia University President George Rupp emphasized the need to reach those who have been hit the hardest. "Those who are being hurt the most are those who can least afford any more difficulty: the elderly, the ill, low income women with infants and children, the homeless, and the hungry," Rupp said. These are the individuals from the neighborhoods surrounding Columbia, who are directly touched by the community programs funded in part by CCS.

Columbia Community Service had its beginnings during World War II. Then, the Columbia University Committee for War Relief made critical contributions to the United States' war effort, including the United War Fund and the American Red Cross. After the war, this group began to focus on helping the local community surrounding the University, which led to the formation of CCS as a local initiative.

Each fall season, donor cards are sent to Columbia employees and faculty, who can make a tax-deductible contribution of any amount to CCS. The contributions are then distributed to dozens of organizations within a 35-block radius of campus. "The agencies offer badly-needed services such as day care, soup kitchens, assistance for the elderly, shelter for the homeless and educational programs for youths," said Columbia University Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs Larry Dais, who is also the Director of Community Affairs.

At a November 8 breakfast for CCS volunteers and agency representatives, Joan Sakalas, executive director of Mothers Together, described how CCS contributions have helped her clients. "Our organization provides training in professional sewing skills to low-income women," Sakalas said. "With last year's contribution from CCS, we were able to purchase an embroidery machine," she said. "Because no one is handling small orders in this industry, the women we serve are working toward carving out a niche for themselves."

Last year, more than $223,000 was raised from the faculty and staff of Columbia, Barnard and Teachers College. "I have learned how far small contributions go to make our community happier and healthier," said Patricia L. Francy, Treasurer/Controller for Columbia University and this year's co-chair of the 55th Annual CCS Appeal. "It's an uplifting experience just listening to the people helping and being helped."