Take a minute to think about the last time you donated. It could’ve been yesterday or maybe it was over a year ago. Regardless of when, how, and if you have ever given back, the point is that contributing to the wellbeing of your community is both an empowering and fulfilling experience. Whether it’s during the holidays or in the heat of summer, the donation of time, money, food, and household products to regional pantries can directly improve local lives. Lucky for us, the Hudson Valley is chock full of pantries that work to diminish hunger and promote communal wellbeing.
Albany County
FOCUS Churches of Albany
275 State St., Albany
10 North Pearl St., Albany
518.463.4449
More than just a food pantry, FOCUS provides its guests with personal care items, fresh fruit, milk vouchers, and even community resources like job training, housing, and nutritional education. The community can help these efforts by donating money through the website or sending a check directly to the financial secretary.
Food Pantries for the Capital District
Located throughout the Capital District
According to Feeding America, about 73,000 people in Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties are food insecure. With the help of donations, this non-profit organization provides food to 64 pantries around the Capital District to help combat hunger in these communities. The public can donate on the website or host a food drive at a designated location.
Columbia County
Chatham Area Silent Pantry
77 Main St, Chatham
518.392.7794
Located in the basement of Tracy Memorial Village Hall, the Silent Pantry primarily serves the needs of low-income individuals in the Chatham school district. Although the pantry gets grants from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, a lot of the funding comes from the community in the form of non-perishable food items or money donations. Food drop-off is welcome during business hours.
Catholic Charities
431 East Allen Street, Hudson
518.828.9668
This organization provides individuals and families that are struggling with a multitude of programs that go beyond food assistance. The emergency program provides clothes, shelter, transportation, and prescriptions to those in need, while enrichment programs educate individuals on topics like drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and parent mentoring. The community can donate money online or by mail. The group also welcomes non-perishable food donations for the food pantry, along with personal hygiene products and diapers. Donations can be dropped off at the Hudson location.
Dutchess County
Dutchess Community Outreach Program
10 Eliza St, Beacon
3414 Rte 22, Dover Plains
77 Cannon St, Poughkeepsie
44-46 East Market St, Red Hook
845.452.5104
This program aims to help low-income residents in Dutchess County succeed. Food pantries are stationed in Beacon, Dover Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Red Hook. Food donations can be dropped off at all locations during business hours.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
835 Rte 82, Hopewell Junction
845.227.7863
This pantry partners with the Regional Food Bank of New York on a monthly basis to provide meat, dairy, and other products for those in need. The community can support the pantry by donating non-perishable items at the church.
The Beverly Closs Food Pantry
29 North Hamilton St, Poughkeepsie
845.454.3792
Through a partnership with Dutchess Outreach, the Beverly Closs Food Pantry provides a three-day emergency supply of food for an entire household. The pantry serves residents mostly in the City of Poughkeepsie, but also provides food and personal hygiene items to people in surrounding towns. Donations of non-perishable items and household goods can be brought to Acts of Kindness located in the Dutchess ARC Building on Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Greene County
The Community Food Pantry of Coxsackie
117 Mansion St, Coxsackie
518.731.8603
For 45 years, this food pantry has been serving the community of Coxsackie and its surrounding towns. The site provides food and personal care products for those who struggle financially. Through a partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the pantry can buy many food and household items below retail value to go to those who need supplies. Money donations go towards buying locally sourced products to support the Greene County agriculture. Food and personal care donations from the public can be dropped off at the pantry.
Matthew 25 Food Pantry
8 Union St, Catskill
518.943.5890
This non-profit organization prides itself on providing emergency food assistance to the Greene County community. The program provides food that can last up to a week, but also one-day emergency food supplies when needed. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off to the pantry during drop-off hours. Coat donations are also accepted for later distribution during the winter months.
Orange County
Regional Economic Community Action Program Inc. (RECAP)
119 East Main St, Middletown
845.342.3978
Since 1965, this organization has been helping Orange County residents who are struggling financially. RECAP focuses its attention on the most vulnerable communities: veterans, seniors, children, victims of domestic abuse, and the hungry. Through the Nutrition and Advocacy Program, RECAP has an emergency food pantry that provides a three-day supply of food to those in need. In addition to the pantry, the organization runs a Thanksgiving drive until November 9. The drive accepts turkeys, boxed stuffing, canned gravy, cake mix, and canned fruit and vegetables.
Putnam County
Putnam Valley Community Food Pantry
Ticket pick-up: 146 Peekskill Hollow Rd, Putnam Valley
Food pantry: 337 Peekskill Hollow Rd, Putnam Valley
845.526.3788
This pantry provides access to healthier perishable and non-perishable food options for those in need in the northern Westchester and southern Putnam communities. The public can make a monetary donation or purchase products from the Café Press Store. Food donations are also accepted, but monetary donations can provide guests with more bang for their buck, thanks to the pantry’s partnership with the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley that allows it purchase in bulk. Guests must pick up a ticket at Putnam Valley High School before proceeding to the food pantry.
Second Chance Foods, Inc.
914.261.0797
According to Second Chance Foods, 40 percent of the food in the U.S. ends up in the garbage. To combat this problem, the Fishkill-based group collects food from farms, restaurants, and grocery stores in the Hudson Valley and brings it directly to community outreach organizations. In an effort to provide awareness on a local and global level, it offers programs to educate the public about food waste and sustainability as well.
Rensselaer County
Hope Seven
596 Pawling Ave, Troy
518.272.8029
This pantry serves the east side of Troy and the town of North Greenbush-Village of Wynantskill. A major source of funding comes from grant money provided by the Regional Food Bank and local partnerships. The pantry serves three-day food packages that include proteins, produce, bread, and milk. In addition to food, guests can also receive diapers, cleaning products, personal hygiene products, and toiletries. Non-perishable food donations are always accepted; call ahead to arrange a drop-off time.
Rockland County
St. Ann’s Food Cupboard
16 Jefferson St, Nyack
845.268.4464
This ongoing program provides families with emergency food when money is tight. Funding for the pantry is provided by grants, monetary donations from St. Ann’s parishioners, and the Regional Food Bank of New York. Food donations are needed throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. To pack Thanksgiving baskets, the church asks for boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, and turkey (only if eligible for a free one.) Donations can be dropped off at the church.
Ulster County
People’s Place Thrift Store and Food Pantry
17 St. James St, Kingston
845.338.4030
Since 1972, this not-for-profit organization has been providing food and clothing to the Ulster County community. The pantry supplies frozen, canned, and fresh food to recipients once a month, while the Bounty Table, located in front of the food pantry, provides food items daily. In addition to food, the pantry also stocks personal care products such as toothbrushes, deodorant, and soap. Monetary donations can be made online or sent to the pantry. Food donations are appreciated as well and can be dropped off onsite.
St. Joseph Food Pantry
34 South Chestnut St, New Paltz
845-255-5635
Once a month, guests can visit the pantry to receive food that has been donated by the community. Food donations can be dropped off in the church and monetary donations can be sent to the church with a memo stating “food pantry.”
