This week, the leaders of the local food pantries serving the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow met to discuss ways they could work together to assist those who need extra help while SNAP benefits are delayed, reduced or cancelled. Many in our community have expressed a wish to help those who need it. Local food pantries are serving approximately 500 families at their distributions, and more than 1,000 people in our communities, and this was prior to the shutdown.
The following takeaways from that meeting may help those wishing to help, or those in need of assistance (click on the bolded words for more information):
If you would like to support food distribution organizations, donating money is the best way to do so. The organizations are able to purchase in bulk at discounted prices and stretch a dollar farther than any individual donor. This clickable flyer lists all of the local organizations working to alleviate food insecurity in the two Villages.
On Tuesday, November 18th, all of the organizations will be getting together to host a joint registration event at the Warner Library from 6-8pm for anyone who needs assistance. This event will allow anyone in Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow who needs assistance to register for multiple food distributions at once. No single food distribution event can provide adequate food for a month, which is why the organizations are collaborating to provide multiple layers of support.
In addition to the food pantries, there are two other organizations specifically serving Seniors.
The Neighborhood House provides a hot lunch every weekday for $3/meal. It is a substantial meal and is part of the Town of Greenburgh's Nutrition program.
It Takes a Village is a volunteer organization that helps Seniors who wish to keep living in their homes. They will deliver groceries, or food pantry distributions to any Senior who is eligible.
For those who are interested in assisting a neighbor in need directly, or for someone who would like to sign up for an additional layer of support, the Village is working with community organizations to pair neighbors who want to assist, with neighbors who need assistance while the federal government shutdown is still in effect. If interested in signing up to be a “Grocery Buddy” fill out this form.
From the Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns
Dear friends,
As you are likely aware, beginning November 1st, anyone who receives SNAP will not have their account refilled.
These are members of our community, many of whom work full time jobs, many of whom are neighbors, students and staff in our schools, many of whom have families much like your own. Caregivers who have even more difficult choices to make right now.
We encourage you, our friends and community supporters, to make a donation to the Sleepy Hollow High School Food Pantry if you are able to do so. This grassroots food pantry was established in 2022 by our very own Jacki Geoghegan, and serves over 400 families with children of all ages in our District.
The SHHS Food Pantry does have regular partners including Feeding Westchester, the TASH, Stop & Shop and the Union Church of Pocantico Hills. However, at this moment in time, resources are being cut across the board, and food distributions are unreliable.
How can we help? Any donation is a significant donation. 100% of any money donated through the Foundation goes directly to the SHHS Food Pantry which uses those funds to purchase food for their registered families. The Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns facilitates contributions through our 501(c)(3) status allowing your donations to be tax deductible.
Donations and more information available through link below:
