2,190 Pounds of Canned Goods Collected to Support Local Food Pantries and Combat Hunger
In honor of National Canned Food Month, the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, in partnership with Feeding Westchester, the Mid-Hudson Library System and Westchester Library System, successfully completed its 2nd Annual Community Canned Food Drive, collecting 2,190 pounds of canned goods to support local food pantries and combat hunger in Westchester and Putnam counties.
The drive, which ran February 1st through February 22nd, 2025, acknowledges the critical impact of canned goods on communities struggling with food insecurity, and brought together an impressive coalition of support. In addition to the Westchester Library System, Mid Hudson Library System, and member libraries serving as collection sites, community groups such as the Rotary Clubs of Chappaqua and Rivertowns and local residential buildings joined the initiative as collection sites. And for the second year in a row, Wegmans Food Markets donated $1,000 worth of canned food to the drive. All demonstrating the community’s powerful commitment to addressing hunger.
“National Canned Food Month provides an important opportunity to highlight the vital role of shelf-stable foods in supporting families facing economic challenges.” said Tom Gabriel, CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “With nearly 40% of households in our region falling below the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, every can donated makes a meaningful difference in our community.”
The drive emphasized the nutritional value of canned goods, dispelling myths about their health benefits. Canned foods provide essential nutrients, offer convenience, and have an extended shelf life, making them a crucial resource for families facing food insecurity. Groups of volunteers also assisted with the drive to count and sort the donated items, which will be distributed to those in need by Feeding Westchester and its partner agencies in Westchester and by the Brewster Community Food Pantry and Saint John the Evangelist Food Pantry in Putnam.
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam expresses deep gratitude to all participating organizations, volunteers, and community members who contributed to the success of this year’s Community Canned Food Drive.
The libraries that participated include:
Westchester
Chappaqua Library, Greenburgh Public Library, Harrison Public Library, Harrison – West Harrison Branch Library, Hastings-on-Hudson Public Library, Hendrick Hudson Free Library (Montrose), John C. Hart Memorial Library (Yorktown), Lewisboro Library, Mamaroneck Public Library District, Mount Kisco Public Library, Mount Pleasant Public Library, Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, Pound Ridge Library, Somers Library, The Field Library (Peekskill), Town of Pelham Public Library, Tuckahoe Public Library
White Plains Public Library, Westchester Library System
Putnam
Brewster Public Library, Mahopac Public Library
For more information about the United Way of Westchester and Putnam and its community initiatives, please visit uwwp.org.
