The Regional Food Bank launched a first-of-its-kind ReStock Our Pantries program this January in an effort to refill empty shelves for Food Bank partners across a 23-county service area. The Regional Food Bank partners with more than 1,000 agencies partners throughout its expansive region stretching from the lower Hudson Valley to the Canadian Border.
After a busy, successful Holiday season the Regional Food Bank was able to support many neighbors in need, but many local food pantries and community resources are left bare. This is a common challenge within the charitable food industry, especially in the months following the holidays. Hunger and food insecurity remain in communities making this mission so essential as the generous community support reaches a predictable ebb in the first weeks of the new year.
“The Food Bank facilitated New York State’s largest Thanksgiving meal distribution and had a hugely successful Holiday Hunger Appeal thanks to generous community support,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank. “The holidays have notoriously left our shelves and partner’s shelves bare during January and February, this much-needed distribution program will directly support agencies by delivering food to where it is needed and in turn benefit communities.”
“Rising need across our region underscores the importance of strong partnerships and collaboration,” said Ellie Jent, JCEO Chief Development Officer. “We are so thankful to be partnering with the Regional Food Bank, for their Restock Our Pantries Program, and for the state leaders who funded this program.”
The Regional Food Bank is proud to host these distributions, delivering food to where it is needed in the North Country and Adirondack Region for agency partners to pick up resources and restock their shelves at no cost for our neighbors in need. The ReStock Our Pantries Program delivers 12 pallets of food to each distribution which is equivalent to approximately 18,000 pounds of food, and in the North Country Region the Food Bank will deliver a total of 44 pallets.