Bi-Weekly Food Giveaway Moves to Town Hall
No Change In the Numbers Of Those In Need
by Amy Modesti
Through the summer, the town of New Lebanon and the school district, with the help of the Northeastern Regional Food Bank, have been hosting bi-weekly food giveaways at the Walter B. Howard Elementary School. With the school reopening this week, that site is no longer available. The easy answer to the problem, move down the road a few miles to the New Lebanon Town Hall parking lot.
Photo by Amy Modesti.
According to event organizers, 126 families were fed on Tuesday morning, September 8, involving on average 17,000 pounds of food. Included in the giveaway were large butt hams, hot dogs, ham steaks, milk, yogurt, potatoes, chicken legs, bags of oranges, tomatoes, apples and processed cheese. In some cases, there were two families per car.
The volunteers consisted of town and school officials and other community members, including the incoming New Lebanon School Superintendent Andrew Kourt, who said “we are just happy we are continuing to help out the community.” Josh Young manages the weekly Farmer’s Market in New Lebanon. He told The Eastwick Press, “I think it’s heartbreaking that this need is here in the community, but it is equally heartwarming that our neighbors come together to meet the need as best we can.” Organizers said more people are becoming aware of the New Lebanon Food Giveaway. It took some time, but the word is beginning to spread.
According to Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling, New Lebanon also has a program where community members volunteer their time to drop off food, groceries and medicine to residents who may have an auto-immune disease, seniors or those who are still uncomfortable leaving their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will also take residents grocery shopping or to medical appointments if needed.
The giveaway program will continue every two weeks as long as the need and the supply of food lasts.
This food giveaway is completely free and open to New Lebanon families and the surrounding area.