Summer recess is here, and while this can be a very fun time, it can also be a time of uncertainty since families do not have the safety net of school meals. In addition, staff will not be available to assist with food drop offs. Here are some ways to access food over the summer, should you need it.
Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the nation throughout the summer while school is out of session. Please visit the USDA website to find a location near you, or text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site nearby.
In addition to the pantries and programs listed below, The Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area will continue to provide meals at the following housing locations during the summer:
- Troy Locations: Griswold Heights, Corliss Park, Arnold E. Fallon, Martin Luther King, Margaret W. Phalon, Catherine Sweeney, & John P. Taylor.
- Albany Locations: Ezra Prentice, Creighton Storey, Robert E. Whalen, & North Albany Homes
Rensselaer County Food Pantry Sites:
| Address and Phone Number | Days/Hours of Operation | COVID/Summer Procedure |
| CEO
2328 Fifth Avenue Troy, NY 12180 (518) 272 – 6012 Ext. 320 |
Mon – Fri 9 a.m.- 3:45 p.m. | *Fresh food is available (meat, fruit, veggies)
No residency or salary information is required. 1. Families must call ahead of time (starting at 8:30 am) to make an appointment, appointments are taken for the same day. 2. Families may be served twice a month, once every 14 days. 3. Delivery not available, families must provide their own transportation. |
| Unity House
2431 6th Avenue Troy, NY 12180 (518) 274 – 2607 |
Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Thurs 9:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Step 1: Call ahead to the Unity House Food Pantry at 518-274-2607 (it’s super important to call ahead so they can get the food ready for pick up)
Step 2: Let them know your name, you should already be in the system. They will connect you with a case manager through the Unity House who will help you with any resources/ necessities that you might need. Step 3: You will need transportation to get to the Unity House/ and pick up materials requested. You will need to wait outside and a worker will bring out the resources for you to bring home. |
| Roarke Center Food Pantry
107 4th Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 273 – 8351 Contact: Salley Zgloinski |
Please call to make an appointment | Summer procedure: Call to make an appointment, pre-packed bags (based off # in household- includes meat/protein & shelf-stable items, fresh produce & toiletries. Bags are brought to doors. NO ENTRY into building
Does not matter where people are located in the city. Best to call ahead so they can get information |
| Salvation Army Troy
410 River Street Troy, NY 12180 |
Tues – Thurs 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | Will deliver to the disabled on Tues/Wed (mental illness counts as a disability). They do not require proof, but you will need to tell them in order to receive the delivery. |
| Troy Larger Parish
Oakwood Community Center 313 10th Street Troy, NY 12180 Contact: Shana Goldman (518) 253-7121 (518) 273 – 5199 |
Food Pantry Saturdays 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Delivery of bagged lunches Monday-Friday; Families need to call ahead to be added to list |
Pantry is still running on Saturdays. Oakwood (in conjunction with Boys and Girls Club) will continue to deliver bagged lunches M through F through the summer to children from North Central who are unable to access Troy housing sites that are offering lunch.
*Families need to call ahead to be added to list |
| Hope 7
PAUM Church 520 Pawling Ave. Troy, NY 12180 (518) 272 – 1547 |
Summer hours: Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays 9:30AM-11:45 AM; Thursday Evening 5PM-7PM. | No proof of identification/residency necessary, just come right to door. |
| Mount Ida Community Food Pantry
548 Congress Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 273 – 1115 Contact: Denise Dunham |
No appointment needed | Saturday 10AM-12PM, served outside and families get to pick out what they want off a list and someone will put together the items for you
Do not need to bring ID |
| YWCA Troy
21 1st Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 274 – 7100 |
Monday 2-4
Tues-thurs- 1 -4 No appointment needed.
|
Knock on back door,
You need proof of residency & ID. |
| Faith & Love Fellowship 85 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer (518) 436-0114 | Food Pantry offered 2nd and 4th Friday of each month 10 AM- 4PM | Must bring ID and proof of residency in Rensselaer County |
If families have other questions they can call the Food Pantry Referral Line at (518) 458-1167.