In an effort to combat hunger for families struggling to make ends meet, United Way of Westchester and Putnam will hold a canned food drive from Saturday, February 24th and Saturday, March 2nd during National Canned Food Month.
All donated canned goods will be given to food pantries in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Fresh produce or dairy products, anything in glass containers, expired food, anything in open/damaged packing, leftovers, cooked foods, or used items will not be accepted.
“Hunger is a widespread problem throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties and the rise in the cost of living puts more strain on individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet,’’ said Tom Gabriel, CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “Almost 40% of people fall within the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold within Westchester and Putnam counties, and don’t make enough to provide for their basic needs, including food. We thank our partners in the Westchester Library System and participating libraries, , Feeding Westchester, Volunteer New York! and other organizations for helping us to improve the lives of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck through initiatives such as this food drive.”
Donors can drop off donations to their local libraries. The participating libraries are: WESTCHESTER Ardsley Public Library; Bedford Free Library, Briarcliff Manor Public Library, Eastchester Public Library, Greenburgh Public Library, Hendrick Hudson Free Library (Montrose), Irvington Public Library, Larchmont Public Library, Lewisboro Library, New Rochelle Public Library, North Castle Public Library, North White Plains Public Library, Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, Pound Ridge Public Library, Ruth Keeler Library (North Salem), Somers Library, The Field Library (Peekskill), Town of Pelham Public Library, Tuckahoe Public Library, and Warner Library (Tarrytown).
PUTNAM Brewster Public Library; Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring); Mahopac Public Library; Putnam Valley Free Library.
Those who wish to volunteer for the food drive can help by sorting, documenting, and packaging donations for distribution, and delivering items to recipient food pantries on Saturday, March 2nd. To sign up to volunteer, please contact Bianca Joseph-Goldson bjosephgoldson@uwwp.org or register at: www.uwwp.org/canned-food-drive-volunteer-sign-up/.
