LATHAM, NY — Celebrating its 19th year, the Neighborhood Food and Fun Drive, organized by the Regional Food Bank, saw incredible volunteer participation this year. Over 120 neighborhood captains helped gather more than 12,000 bags filled with groceries, personal care items, and household essentials. These bags were delivered to the Capital Region Distribution Center in Albany County and the Hudson Valley Distribution Center in Orange County.
Since its launch, this initiative has contributed over half a million pounds of food to combat food insecurity in the area. It has grown to become the largest food drive in support of the Regional Food Bank, which collaborates with over 1,000 community partners across 23 counties in New York State.
Karen S. Olewnick, a Neighborhood Food Drive Captain, emphasized the importance of community support. “Every neighborhood has people in need. We may not know each other’s circumstances, and this drive is a vital way to help,” she said.
CEO Tom Nardacci highlighted the role of volunteers in the Food Bank’s success. “Last year, over 30,000 volunteers dedicated more than 74,000 hours to help neighbors facing hunger,” he explained. The drive, initiated by volunteers in 2008, has become a testament to community spirit and commitment.
With the increasing cost of living and rising food prices, statistics show that food insecurity affects one in six individuals in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity has been rising, particularly post-pandemic. This reinforces the need for initiatives like the Neighborhood Food Drive.
This year, on April 6, the registered captains picked up grocery bags from the distribution centers. They then distributed these bags within their communities, encouraging residents to fill them with donations. The filled bags were collected on April 25 and returned to the Food Bank.
Community efforts like these remind us that helping those in need can start right at home. As food drives continue to evolve, they play a crucial role in fighting hunger and fostering connections among neighbors.
