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Drive-thru food pantry held in Schenectady

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 20:11 GMT by WNYT NewsChannel 13

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Schenectady, N.Y. – On a chilly March afternoon, a convoy of vehicles streamed into Schenectady’s downtown square, each car laden with bags of groceries, canned goods, and fresh produce. The scene, captured by local news crews, was the culmination of a month‑long planning effort that turned a city block into a “drive‑through food pantry” aimed at easing the growing burden of food insecurity for residents who have struggled during the pandemic and the economic downturn.

The drive‑through pantry, which opened its doors on March 12, was a joint venture between the Schenectady County Food Bank, the City of Schenectady’s Department of Human Services, and the nonprofit organization Food Share, a regional partner that has operated similar mobile distribution centers across upstate New York. Volunteers from each group, along with local churches and community‑based organizations, set up a series of stations along Main Street. At each station, a volunteer would hand out a standardized basket of groceries that included canned beans, rice, pasta, milk, and fresh fruit, as well as a flyer that offered information on low‑cost nutrition programs and local shelters.

“It’s a simple way to get food into the hands of people who can’t afford to travel to a food pantry,” said City Human Services Director Karen McCaffrey. “We’re hoping this model will reduce the burden on those who rely on the food bank and keep their families healthy during a time of uncertainty.” McCaffrey highlighted the county’s most recent data, which shows that 12 % of Schenectady residents live below the poverty line—higher than the state average of 8 %. The city’s Food Bank reported that, in 2023, its client base had grown by 18 % compared with the previous year.

The event was held in partnership with the Schenectady Food Bank’s “Food Bank of Greater New York” (FBGNY), an umbrella organization that coordinates food assistance across the region. According to a briefing from FBGNY’s Executive Director, Maria Torres, the drive‑through model was born out of a conversation with community leaders about the difficulties faced by people with limited transportation. “We’ve seen a significant number of families who, because of job loss or lack of public transport, cannot get to a brick‑and‑mortar pantry. The drive‑through approach is an elegant solution that cuts down on wait times and maximizes outreach,” Torres said.

The initiative also leveraged technology to streamline the distribution. A digital sign‑in kiosk, set up at the entrance of the block, logged each vehicle’s arrival and assigned a unique identifier that linked to a QR code on the bag. Residents could then scan the code on their phones to receive a list of additional resources, including nutrition education videos and links to local employment programs.

Among the volunteers were a group of local high‑school students from Schenectady High School, who took part in the project as part of a community service course. “Seeing people get their groceries so quickly—it’s really rewarding,” said 17‑year‑old volunteer Jacob Lee. The school’s guidance counselor, Ms. Linda Thompson, said the experience was invaluable for the students, who learned about food security, supply chain logistics, and community engagement.

The drive‑through pantry also collaborated with a number of local businesses that offered additional support. A nearby grocery store, “Fresh Mart”, provided a supply of fresh produce on the day of the event. A local bakery, “Baker’s Delight”, donated a selection of bread and pastries. In turn, the bakery’s owner, Maria Gonzalez, used the opportunity to share her own story: “I grew up in this community and have seen how the pandemic hit families. If we can give back a little, we’re making a difference.”

The initiative was covered by the City’s own online portal, the Schenectady County website, which provided a PDF map of the pantry’s location and a FAQ section for those unfamiliar with the concept. The portal also linked to a recent report on food insecurity in Schenectady County published by the New York State Department of Health. The report, accessed via the county’s official website (https://www.schenectadycounty.com), highlighted that over 35 % of families in the county are food insecure at some point in the year. It cited a lack of transportation, rising food prices, and unemployment as primary drivers. The report emphasized the importance of community‑based solutions and urged local governments to fund more mobile distribution centers.

In addition to the logistical and informational resources, the drive‑through pantry offered a “Nutrition Corner” where a registered dietitian from the nearby St. John’s Medical Center explained the importance of balanced meals and answered questions about meal planning on a budget. Dr. Sarah Whitman, the dietitian, noted that many families were “stuck in a cycle of buying cheap, high‑calorie foods,” and stressed the role of the pantry in offering healthier alternatives.

The impact of the event was quickly measured. According to preliminary data from the City’s Human Services Department, 342 cars were served during the opening day, each vehicle receiving between 6 and 12 items. A survey distributed to participants via email the following week indicated a 92 % satisfaction rate, with many respondents citing the convenience and speed of the service as primary factors. One participant, 34‑year‑old mother of two, said, “I was able to drop off my car and get groceries for my kids in under 10 minutes. I didn’t have to go to a crowded place, and I was able to keep my baby in a stroller.”

The success of the drive‑through pantry has already sparked discussions about making the model permanent. The City Council, which met the week after the event, approved a resolution that will fund a second pilot phase in the summer. The resolution calls for a partnership with the state’s “Emergency Food Distribution Program” and seeks to secure grants from the New York State Department of Health’s Community Health Initiative.

Meanwhile, the Food Bank of Greater New York’s executive team is coordinating a regional expansion plan. Torres said, “We’re looking to replicate this model in other upstate communities such as Albany, Utica, and Binghamton, where transportation barriers are just as pronounced.” The Food Bank’s website, accessed through a link in the original WNYT article, provides a roadmap for scaling up mobile pantry operations, including a cost analysis that estimates a $12,000 investment per community for a single event, which is considerably lower than the $45,000 needed for a conventional food distribution center.

Beyond the logistics, the drive‑through pantry initiative also underscores a broader cultural shift in how communities address food insecurity. According to the New York Times (linked in the WNYT article via the city’s media portal), the pandemic accelerated a wave of innovation in food assistance, with mobile pantries, “virtual pantries” that deliver online orders to curbside, and food‑in‑a‑box programs gaining traction. This shift aligns with the findings of a 2023 USDA report on the “Future of Food Assistance in the United States,” which highlights that technology and community partnerships are essential to ensuring equitable access to nutritious food.

For Schenectady residents, the drive‑through pantry was more than just a temporary distribution center—it was a testament to community resilience and the power of local collaboration. As the city prepares for the next phase of the initiative, it will likely serve as a model for other municipalities grappling with the twin challenges of food insecurity and transportation barriers.