If New York offers SNAP Benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps) why do people need food pantries?
SNAP Benefits typically provide less than $4.50 per day to spend on food. Most often, SNAP Benefits will last for 3 weeks out of a month. Food Pantries help fill that gap. In addition, not everyone who needs a food pantry receives SNAP Benefits. Some individuals and families may be “just above” qualifying for SNAP but still struggle to feed their families. Some may only need a food pantry for emergency or temporary help due to loss of income, medical bills, increased utility costs, and other unexpected hardships. Regardless of circumstances, our more than 67 member food pantries are there to help with compassion, respect, and understanding.
How is The Food Pantries for the Capital District different from the food bank?
The Food Pantries for the Capital District is a coalition of 67 food pantries in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties. Food Pantries serve the hungry directly. Everything we provide to our member food pantries is free. We provide funding and delivery services so our food pantries can acquire food from the food bank. The food bank located in Albany makes large quantities of low and no-cost food available to food pantries and other organizations in 23 counties throughout New York State. We supplement what is available at the food bank with our bread, infant needs, and holiday meals programs.