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Schenectady Shares has kicked off its 2026 food drive, collecting non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products for thousands of families facing food insecurity across Schenectady, New York. The all-volunteer organization is accepting donations through Friday (April 17), with about 60 collection sites spread throughout Schenectady County.
According to the Schenectady Shares website, the most-needed items include peanut butter and jelly, canned soups, cereal, granola bars, pasta, rice, baby formula, and 100% juice. The drive also welcomes culturally responsive foods like beans, legumes, spices such as adobo and cumin, and grains like masa and millet. Personal hygiene items — including shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, menstrual products, and diapers — are also being collected.
All donated items must be in their original, unopened packaging and cannot be expired. Low-sodium, low-sugar, and whole-grain options are preferred, and individual packages of five pounds or less are ideal.
This year's donations will be distributed to more than 20 food providers across Schenectady County. Money donations are also welcome and can be made directly on the Schenectady Shares website, or by check made out to "The Daily Bread Food Pantry" with "Schenectady Shares" written in the description line.
As reported by NEWS10 ABC, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy praised the effort, saying, "Thanks to their work — and the work of the many food providers and non-profits addressing food insecurity across Schenectady — this campaign continues to help our neighbors and ensure they have food and other necessities during these challenging times."
Organization co-chairs Doreen Ditoro and Mike Aragosa described the drive's deeper mission in a joint statement. "Schenectady Shares opens more than cans, we restore dignity and refill hope," they said. "From a family who once depended on pantry shelves to now helping a community that helps refill them, we keep hope in stock year-round."
First established in 2023, Schenectady Shares has grown quickly. During its 2025 drive, the organization collected more than 24,000 pounds of food and raised over $26,000.
A full list of drop-off locations is available on the Schenectady Shares collection sites page. The drive runs through Friday (April 17).