The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is dedicated to alleviating hunger, while preventing the waste of wholesome food. It is a branch of the
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and a member of
America’s Second Harvest, the national food bank network.
The Regional Food Bank, based in Latham, New York, was created by a group of food pantry coordinators and anti-hunger advocates which began its operation in June of 1982. At that time, pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters for the homeless were experiencing a tremendous increase in the number of people requesting emergency food assistance because of government budget cuts and difficult economic times.
To serve agencies in the lower Hudson Valley, food was initially transported from the Regional Food Bank and distributed off the backs of trucks at a handful of member agency locations in the Hudson Valley area. As the need for food and agency membership increased, a physical presence was deemed necessary for greater efficiency and food safety. As a result, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley was founded in 1990 in Newburgh, New York. This branch warehouse allowed increased donations from food companies and improved service to member agencies in the lower Hudson Valley area.
In 1994, the Food Bank outgrew its rented Newburgh location and moved to a larger, improved facility in Milton, New York. Member agency numbers continued to grow and the amount of food distributed increased steadily.
In 1996, a 55,000 square foot warehouse in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York was donated to the Food Bank. This location also houses the Food Bank’s administrative offices.
Working in partnership with the food industry, the Food Bank collects large donations of unmarketable but still edible food, and distributes it to charitable agencies feeding hungry people in a six county region. In 2002, the Food Bank provided more than 6 million pounds of food to over
350 member agencies in Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, and Putnam counties.
Today, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in conjunction with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, serves over 930 member agencies in 23 counties from the Canadian border to the Westchester border.
- Some
of our supporters
-
- www.hannaford.com
- Hannaford supermarkets Have
a Heart for Hunger campaign.
-
- www.shoprite.com
– ShopRite supermarkets Partners
In Caring program.
-
- www.stopandshop.com
– Stop & Shop supermarkets Food
for Friends program.
-
-
www.markertek.com
- Markertek's Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Food Bank.
- www.
wrrv.com – WRRV radio 2-day food/donation drive for Food
Bank of the Hudson Valley; DJ Andrew Boris.
-
- www.Star93.3FM.com
– Star 93.3 radio 3-day food/donation drive spearheaded by
morning DJ Mark
Bolger along with
- sister channels
www.KISSFMJams.com and
www.WRWDFM.com
- CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
In 1994, the Food Bank outgrew its rented Newburgh, New York location and moved to a larger facility in Milton, New York. Member agencies continued to grow in number and the amount of food distributed increased steadily.
In 1996, the Food Bank was given a wonderful opportunity. A generous friend donated a 55,000 square foot warehouse in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. While structurally sound, much work was needed to create a suitable facility for the Food Bank. After much thoughtful consideration, the Regional Food Bank’s Executive Board and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley’s Advisory Board resolved to move ahead with the renovation project. An approved capital campaign for
loan, the amount required to meet the Food Bank’s most urgent capital needs, was put into motion.
The new facility has proven to be an invaluable asset in this regard. Workshops on hunger issues and food safety can finally be offered on-site. Opportunities for volunteering and community service have also expanded with the new warehouse. The transition to a larger, more community-based facility has given the Food Bank many more resources for networking and the ability to reach out to a friendly local community.
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