The Saratoga Regional YMCA has come to
the aid of Franklin Community’s emergency
food pantry.
The YMCA van delivered nonperishable
items to replenish the empty shelves at the
perfect time, officials said. According to the community center, it was
the first time in 10-plus years the pantry completely
ran out of pasta.
“We are extremely lucky to have the Saratoga
Regional YMCA behind us in our mission to
help individuals and families in our area” said
center Executive Director Kari Cushing. “We
strive to help all who need it within our community,
which lately, has been becoming more
of a challenge.”
Franklin Community Center has seen a huge increase in the need for food and hygiene products over the past few years, and the need is only continuing to grow, Cushing said.
The YMCA’s Saratoga Springs branch has stepped up and become a collection site for the center, providing not only food for the pantry, but allowing members and staff an easy and convenient way to help out their neighbors.
The state is encouraging New Yorkers to make a donations to their regional food bank, to help feed people in nearby communities who are struggling to afford healthy meals.
According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the state’s eight regional food banks – which support thousands of local hunger relief programs across the state – are expecting increased demand for assistance in light of recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“With the combination of cuts to the federal SNAP program and an approaching winter season, it is more important than ever that New Yorkers support their local food bank,” Cuomo said last month. “New York’s food banks serve a variety of vulnerable populations across the state, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low income families … By purchasing a few extra items to donate when grocery shopping, we can all do our part to put food on the table of those in need this holiday season.”
Franklin Community Center, a non-profit human service agency located at 10 Franklin St., provides basic needs and services to less fortunate individuals and families in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and positive changes. It has been providing services for 30 years.
Donations of food can be dropped off at the office Monday, Wednesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Non-perishable items are accepted, with an emphasis on pasta and sauce, cereal, breakfast items, beans, pork and beans, veggies, soup, rice, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, baby and hygiene items.