United Way of Westchester and Putnam Hosts Canned Food Drive

White Plains, NY – (February 27, 2024) – In an effort to combat hunger for families struggling to make ends meet, United Way of Westchester and Putnam will hold a canned food drive through Saturday, March 2nd during National Canned Food Month.

All donated canned goods will be given to food pantries in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Fresh produce or dairy products, anything in glass containers, expired food, anything in open/damaged packing, leftovers, cooked foods, or used items will not be accepted.

“Hunger is a widespread problem throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties and the rise in the cost of living puts more strain on individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet,’’ said Tom Gabriel, CEO of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “Almost 40% of people fall within the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold within Westchester and Putnam counties, and don’t make enough to provide for their basic needs, including food. We thank our partners in the Westchester Library System and participating libraries, Feeding Westchester, Volunteer New York! and other organizations for helping us to improve the lives of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck through initiatives such as this food drive.”

As one of the collection sites in Putnam County, Brewster Public Library stated, "We here at the Brewster Public Library are thrilled to be partnering with United Way of Westchester and Putnam to help those of the community who are without food on a daily basis."

“Partnerships in the fight against hunger make us stronger and Feeding Westchester holds our relationship with United Way of Westchester and Putnam in the highest regard”, said Karen C. Erren, President & CEO of Feeding Westchester. “Their ALICE Report is one of the most valuable tools for understanding the true need for food in our community. The canned food drive is another example of UWWP using their platform to make a difference; in this case, helping to ensure that our neighbors have good, nutritious food on their tables.”

Terry Kirchner, Executive Director of the Westchester Library System, said, “In acknowledging the prevalent hunger and economic challenges faced by some communities in Westchester, we recognize how imperative it is to address immediate needs such as food. United Way of Westchester and Putnam's dedicated efforts in alleviating financial strains are commendable. As we partner with United Way, extending our collaborative reach to include basic needs, we aim to tackle the intellectual hunger that often accompanies economic hardship. By combining forces, we aspire to not only provide immediate relief through initiatives like food drives but also to cultivate a foundation for long-term empowerment, fostering a community that thrives intellectually and economically.”

Donors can drop off donations to their local libraries. The participating libraries are:

WESTCHESTER

Ardsley Public Library; Bedford Free Library, Briarcliff Manor Public Library, Eastchester Public Library, Greenburgh Public Library, Hendrick Hudson Free Library (Montrose), Irvington Public Library, Larchmont Public Library, Lewisboro Library, New Rochelle Public Library, North Castle Public Library, North White Plains Public Library, Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, Pound Ridge Public Library, Ruth Keeler Library (North Salem), Somers Library, The Field Library (Peekskill), Town of Pelham Public Library, Tuckahoe Public Library, and Warner Library (Tarrytown).

PUTNAM

Brewster Public Library; Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library (Cold Spring); Mahopac Public Library; Putnam Valley Free Library.

Those who wish to volunteer for the food drive can help by sorting, documenting, and packaging donations for distribution, and delivering items to recipient food pantries on Saturday, March 2nd.

To sign up to volunteer, please contact Bianca Joseph-Goldson bjosephgoldson@uwwp.org or register at: www.uwwp.org/canned-food-drive-volunteer-sign-up/.

This drive is a partnership amongst the following organizations: Double Up Food Bucks, Feeding Westchester, Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library, Brewster Public Library, Mahopac Public Library, Putnam Valley Free Library, Volunteer New York!, and the Westchester Library System.

National Canned Food Month falls every February and is dedicated to acknowledging the convenience and shelf life of canned foods.

More information about the canned food drive can be found here: www.uwwp.org/canned-food-drive/.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is an anti-poverty organization dedicated to improving the lives of 40% of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. United Way provides strategic resources and tools to help struggling residents lead a better, more stable life, and these include our 211 Helpline operating 24/7 across the Hudson Valley, early literacy programming for preschoolers in underserved communities, job skills training and financial empowerment for financially struggling adults and families, as well as access to health services and discounts on prescription drugs. United Way supports hundreds of local nonprofits with millions of dollars in grants and essential goods for basic needs, as well as by providing affordable professional development and connecting nonprofits to new resources.

UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606.

Phone: 914-997-6700

Website: www.uwwp.org

Facebook: (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/united-way-of-westchester-and-putnam, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaywp/

X/Twitter: @UnitedWayWP