The Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) will hold its 27th annual fundraiser, the May Day Spring Fling, 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs.<\/p>\n
Attendees will have the opportunity to help support EOC’s new endeavor: a traveling food pantry. The pantry will serve as an outreach vehicle that will visit areas of the county where residents are in need of food as a first point of contact as well as other services such as weatherization.<\/p>\n
Anita M. Paley, EOC executive director, said, “Each day, some of our neighbors in Saratoga County have to make a decision about food due to the lack of it, because that money has gone to pay the electric bill, increased co-pays, medicine which is not covered by health insurance, rent, and gas to get to work. Many of the people who seek our help are working and trying to get ahead, but need just that little bit extra to get to the next place. ”<\/p>\n
The event is sponsored by Longfellows Restaurant and the Olde Bryan Inn. It will include an open bar tended by VIP bartenders, dinner and dessert stations, a live and silent auction and music by J. Yager.<\/p>\n
Paley said the annual fundraiser has been a key event bringing together people with a genuine interest in their community and a strong desire to help others.<\/p>\n
She said the planned mobile food pantry will be such a big benefit to people who have trouble coming to the EOC main site in Ballston Spa.<\/p>\n
The Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council is the designated anti-poverty agency for Saratoga County, dedicated to providing and promoting opportunities for individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n
In 2015, it helped over 30,000 local residents move closer to economic self-sufficiency through over a dozen programs and services including the Community Lunch Program, Emergency Food Pantry, Head Start Program, Energy Services and Women, Infants and Children (WIC).<\/p>\n