KINGSTON – Ulster County’s Project Resilience has awarded additional funding to address food insecurity and youth programming in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing support for local food pantries. Project Resilience will be granting $80,000 to 16 pantries across the county to help support the surging needs that pantries are seeing this winter. Additionally, Project Resilience will be partnering with the YMCA to launch a new drop-in childcare program in Ellenville.
Project Resilience surveyed every pantry in the county and asked how their operations had been impacted by COVID-19. The average pantry has seen its clients double and has been facing shortages of volunteers. These grants ranging from $3,000-$8,000 per pantry will help them increase their services. County officials anticipate that 120,000 additional meals will be provided through this additional funding.
Project Resilience is also partnering with the YMCA to help sponsor a new drop-in childcare program for kids in grades K-6 in Ellenville. This program will begin on February 1 to support working parents in Ellenville. Ellenville School District has been in need of a childcare program and afterschool program for youth even prior to the pandemic.
Pantries Receiving Funds Include:
People’s Place
The Table at Woodstock
Hunger is Not an Option
Rondout Valley Food Pantry
Pointe of Praise Family Life Center Pantry
Town of Rochester Food Pantry
Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center Food Pantries
New Day Food Pantry
Family of New Paltz
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
St. Charles Helping Hands Food Pantry
Plattekill Food Pantry
Good Neighbor Food Pantry of Woodstock
Family of Ellenville
Hodge Center
Family of Woodstock