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The Sycamore Collaborative, the largest food pantry in Schenectady County, has received a significant boost with a $98,185 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Announced on Monday (November 24), the funding aims to combat food insecurity in the area. The grant, part of the Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment program, will help the pantry purchase essential equipment like a box truck with a lift gate, a refrigerator, and a straddle stacker. These tools will aid in the transportation and storage of donated food, expanding the pantry's capacity to serve the community.
The Sycamore Collaborative distributed nearly one million meals last year, and the demand for assistance continues to rise. "With the number of families seeking our help growing by 15 to 20 percent year over year for the past three years, this support arrives at a crucial moment," said Aldo Juárez-Romero, Acting Executive Director/CEO of Sycamore Collaborative, as reported by NEWS10 ABC.
In addition to this grant, Schenectady County is contributing $100,000 to the Schenectady Foundation to support its food insecurity initiative. This funding complements efforts like recent drive-thru pantries, providing quick access to nutritious foods for those in need. Reverend Dustin Longmire of Messiah Lutheran Church in Rotterdam emphasized the importance of community support, stating, "When one of our neighbors doesn't have enough to eat, we all don't have enough to eat," according to CBS6 Albany.
The Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment program, administered by the DEC, has awarded a total of $291,939 in grants to three food pantries in the Capital Region, enhancing their ability to address food insecurity.