The Emergency Food Pantry
Map to locate the food Pantry: click here.
The Emergency Food Program, led by Gail Van Valkenburgh, is located at 839 Albany 
Street, where it relocated in April 2007 from its former space in the First United Methodist Church (thank you, FUMC!). In 2008, the pantry served a record 37,721 individuals (duplicated number, as recipients are eligible up to six times a year), up from 29,701 in 2007. A total of 339,489 meals were served in 2008, up from 267,309 in 2007.
The new space showed the undisclosed level of need for temporary and emergency food, given the nature of the economy, government realities, and individual situations.
The Nutrition Education and Outreach Program (started by SICM, transitioned to Catholic Charities) came to locate at the building, offering pre-screening and help with Food Stamp applications.
The new building allowed for additional offerings of “wrap-around” services, including nutritionists from Cornell Cooperative Extension, tax preparation, flu shots, voter registration, and lead testing.
Mass Distribution
The SICM Food Pantry started Mass Distribution in May of 2008. After a year at our new location we finally had room to try this new program out through the Regional Food Bank.
On the last Thursday of each month, the RFB delivers 12 pallets of “hard to move items,” especially produce that they don’t want to spoil, as well as yogurt, cottage cheese, juice and bread. Each person is given a box and proceeds to each pallet and is given enough of every item according to their family size. The items change each month and this does not count against the person’s regular pantry visit of 6 times a year. The food pantry is not open for regular business on that day and NO transportation is provided.
SICM Emergency Food Pantry
839 Albany Street
Schenectady, NY 12307
Pantry Phone: 346-4036 (during open hours only)
Food Program Phone: 346-4445
Pantry Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 AM until capacity is met.
Mass Distribution Day: Last Thursday of the Month 9:00 AM until capacity is met
