All Are Welcome: Community Organizations Host Food Distribution
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, residents in Albany County are facing layoffs and furloughs, and many are experiencing food insecurity for the first time.
On Thursday, July 23, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York are teaming up with New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID), the Albany Housing Authority, Whitney Young Health and Centro Civico to address food insecurity and support coronavirus prevention efforts with a mass food distribution in Albany, NY.
The food distribution, or “drive-thru pantry” is a part of Catholic Charities’ mobile outreach initiative, CC MOVE, and is an effort to provide supplemental and emergency food in areas with limited access to services at time when many are struggling. Food items provided by the Regional Food Bank will be pre-packaged by volunteers from partnering organizations and distribution will begin at Centro Civico at 10:00 AM. The distribution is open to the public and no pre-registration is required.
In addition to volunteering on site with food packaging and distribution, including donated personal hand sanitizer, NYSID has made a cash donation to Catholic Charities as a means of supporting the organization’s efforts of providing accessible food and nutrition to under-served and rural areas.
In order to maintain appropriate safety and social distancing, there will be two distribution lines: a drive-through line, and a walk-in line. Cars can enter through the Cherry St. entrance. Due to traffic concerns, guests are asked not to arrive prior to the 10:00 start time.
Catholic Charities and the Regional Food Bank have distributed over 400 tons – that’s over 800,000 pounds – of food so far this year. They have served an estimated 37,000 people, providing them with fresh, frozen and shelf-stable food items.
Those interested can visit ccrcda.org/events for more information.