by Doug La Rocque
Catholic Charities, The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, the Capital District Area Labor Federation, The Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office, The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Eastwick Press teamed up on Wednesday, November 3 to once again bring Eastern and Central Rensselaer County a mass food giveaway, held at the Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). This was the third such event that has been held at GLSP and the second this year. Just like the previous two several hundred families received frozen meat, fresh fruit and vegetables along with other various foods.
A light snow started to fall just as the cars lined up in front of one of several stations, where volunteers loaded boxes of food in their vehicles. That, however, just seemed to enhance the enjoyment of the morning, and despite being a little cold, the weather was not a factor. The spirits of those helping out as well as that of those receiving the the food packages helped keep all warm.
Whenever The Eastwick Press hosts one of these giveaways, its success is completely dependent upon those that show up to help, set up the food stations, unload the truck, pack the food boxes, distribute and clean up. It really is a team effort. Thanks as well to the Grafton Rescue Squad, which was ready to respond if needed, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, who stationed a patrol car outside the entrance to the State Park to help with traffic control and of course Melissa Ann Miller, GLSP Manager, and her staff who not only gladly opened up their facility but volunteered their time as well.