Greene County Food Security Coalition Recommendations for Supporting Local Food Pantries

A Practical Guide for Residents and Organizations 

We are facing a time of unprecedented uncertainties and food insecurity. The continued high  cost of food, and cuts in federal and state nutrition programs, compounded by the freeze on  SNAP (food stamps) funding leaves many residents afraid they will not have enough food. 

Local food pantries are a crucial lifeline for families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals  throughout Greene County. These organizations rely on community support to provide  consistent, nutritious food to those in need. By working together, residents and organizations  can provide food pantries with the resources and help they need to serve our neighbors. 

Many people are aware of this need and are ready to act immediately to sponsor food drives  and provide other forms of assistance. Following are some recommendations and contact  information for your local food pantries. 

Step 1: Contact Your Local Food Pantry to Assess Needs 

• Before taking action, reach out to your nearest food pantry by phone, email, or social  media. 

• Ask about their current needs for food items, supplies, volunteer help, or other  resources. 

• Request a list of their most-needed items or a schedule of upcoming activities and  distribution days. 

• Establish ongoing communication to stay informed about changing needs. Step 2: Understand Volunteer Challenges and Capacity 

• Inquire with pantry staff or coordinators about the challenges their volunteers face,  such as limited workforce, time constraints, or physical demands. 

• Be sensitive to burnout and recognize that many volunteers are seniors or have other  commitments. 

• Ask how you or your organization can best support the current volunteer team,  whether through hands-on help or by providing supportive resources. 

Step 3: Consider Efficient Donation Methods 

• Monetary Donations: Contributing financially to your local pantry may be the most  useful form of support. If your local Pantry is a member of the Regional Food Bank of  Northeastern New York, you can designate them as the recipient. Every dollar spent at  the RFB is worth $10 in food.

• Targeted Item Donations: If you prefer to donate goods, ask for a list of high-priority items. Avoid donating expired or unwanted items, as sorting and disposing of these  can will burden pantry staff. 

• Organizational Drives: Local businesses, schools, or groups can organize focused drives  for specific items in short supply, based on pantry recommendations. 

• Manage a Food Drive: If you are planning a food drive, please offer to transport, and  to sort and/or to shelve the donations. 

Step 4: Additional Ways to Help 

• Volunteer Your Time: Offer to help with food sorting, packing, distribution, or  administrative tasks. Even a few hours a month can make a difference. 

• Fundraising: Organize a simple online fundraiser, community event, or matching  donation challenge to raise funds for pantry operations. 

• Transportation Assistance: Help transport food from donation sites or the Regional  Food Bank to local pantries, or assist with home deliveries to those unable to travel. 

• Home Delivery: Deliver food packages to seniors, people with disabilities, or families  without transportation. 

• Shop for Needed Items: Volunteer to shop for and deliver specific high-need items  requested by the pantry, especially when supply shortages arise. 

• Organize Events: Help coordinate community events that raise awareness, gather  donations, or recruit new volunteers. 

Conclusion: Supporting local food pantries is a powerful way to build a positive community,  strengthen Greene County, and provide crucial access to nutritious food. Whether you give  time, money, or resources, your involvement matters. By taking these steps, you help create a  caring and resilient community for all. 

The Greene County Food Security Coalition is a network of 17 food pantries and feeding  agencies committed to making food security a reality through strong local partnerships, active  community engagement, and proactive advocacy. We are building partnerships with local food  producers, volunteers and community members dedicated to ensuring that every member of  our community has access to healthy, nutritious food. We organized in 2023 to share  information, challenges, and resources. Together we are building capacity to better serve our  communities. Our initial focus was on creating a network of Greene Count pantries, developing  partnerships with local farmers, producers, and agribusinesses. 

If you need assistance contacting the pantries, please contact Jonathan Gross 914-523-3766  or jonathangross25@gmail.com 

Charlotte Carter, coxsackieareafoodpantry@gmail.com Contacts: Chris Braccia, Feed HV  cbraccia@hvadc.org; Jonathan Gross, Jonathangross25@gmail.com

Source: The Schoharie News