You’re Invited!

2023 Recap

ALBANY COUNTY – MICHELLE WOOTEN – REDEMPTION CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

Michelle’s dedication and faithfulness to fight food insecurity has made significant impacts to the Redemption Church Food Pantry and its guests. She consistently comes up with ways to make sure pantry guests are connected to pantry programs. Michelle oversees these programs as well as pantry volunteers, all while making sure the pantry runs smoothly.

RENSSELAER COUNTY – DONNA GOLINSKI – PITTSTOWN AREA FOOD PANTRY

Donna has been committed to going above and beyond for her pantry and guests for over 10 years. She does everything from creating and maintaining a website, inventory, cleaning, spearheading programs, and more, all while making visitors feel welcome with her compassionate awareness of their needs and likes. Her pantry coworkers describe “watching her in awe.”

SARATOGA COUNTY – REGINA WAGNER-GARHARTT – FAITH FOOD PANTRY

Regina is an outstanding leader. She clearly sets an example for others to follow by being one of the first volunteers to arrive and the last to leave. It doesn’t matter the task, Regina will go above and beyond to make sure pantry guests have what they need while being treated with respect and love.

SCHENECTADY COUNTY – JAIMN DELACRUZ – STATE STREET FOOD PANTRY

Jaimn has been volunteering 15 hours a week for 6 years. He happily takes on any task with a smile and a happy heart. Jaimn has extraordinary organizational skills and is dedicated to the point you have to tell him to leave. His passion for helping others and willingness to go above and beyond is why we celebrate him!

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER

STONE MANAGMENT

Working together we can do more than any one of us alone. Community partnerships are the heart of our work as a coalition. They help us to serve the needs of the community and improve access to food assistance for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

The Food Pantries for the Capital District thanks Stone Management for their continued dedication to our members and their patrons through financial and in-kind support. Their years of partnership have enabled us to expand program services to better meet the needs of our members and the guests we serve.

JANINE JURKOWSKI, Ph.D., MPH, University at Albany

Dinnie Shanley was a longtime supporter in the fight against food insecurity. She was an employee of The Food Bank serving as the Community Liaison with member pantries and later transitioned into an invaluable volunteer. Dinnie went above and beyond in her mission by supporting, encouraging, and having compassion for pantry coordinators and guests. She understood the importance and need for collaboration and partnered with Equinox starting the “Day After Program’ that delivers Thanksgiving leftover meals to area shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries the day after Thanksgiving. Dinnie is greatly missed, but her legacy will continue to impact lives right here in our local community.

The Food Pantries for the Capital District thanks Janine Jurkowski for her collaborative cross sector initiatives to build capacity to address food insecurity.

ANGELA WARNER , St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York President

Sister Mary Coons, R.S.M. was a Sister of Mercy for 50 years. During this time, she was a teacher, a principal, and a leader throughout the Albany community where she served others selflessly. In her last 10 years of service, Sr. Mary Coons went back to where it all began, Blessed Sacrament, in Albany. As Pastoral Associate for Outreach, she organized and grew the food pantry, expanded the Christmas Program for Toys for Children in need and provided love, help and support to countless community members. Sr. Mary Coons passed away in 2008, but her legacy lives on.

The Food Pantries for the Capital District thanks, Angela Warner, who’s professional career has been dedicated to empowering, serving and giving a voice to the most vulnerable in our community.

THE CANISTER TEAM

Whether they have been employed or retired, ill or healthy, these volunteers have devoted themselves tirelessly to The Canister Project. Faithfully using their own vehicles, to nurture and maintain relationships through the COVID years with retailers throughout the Capital District. As a group and as individuals, they are the definition of “selfless”.

The Food Pantries for the Capital District thanks, Angela Warner, who’s professional career has been dedicated to empowering, serving and giving a voice to the most vulnerable in our community.

All photos by Kerensa Rybak Photography