Regional Food Bank & friends organize largest Thanksgiving Meal Distribution event

PLATTSBURGH | Regional Food Bank leadership and volunteers, restaurant and food partners, site partners, donors and local and state elected officials joined together locally Oct. 22 to kick off preparations for the Adirondacks and North Country's largest Thanksgiving Meal Distribution, unveiling distribution sites and key sponsors of this first-ever effort to provide nourishing meals to members of their community. "Thanksgiving is a special time of year — a season that embodies gratitude, togetherness, and the simple dignity of sharing a meal with loved ones," said Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank. "With the support of our sponsors, food industry partners, and volunteers, we are taking the monumental step of ensuring that every neighbor in need across our 23-county service area can celebrate Thanksgiving with a full table," Nardacci added. "This year, the pressures facing families and food banks alike are immense. Rising food costs, increased demand, and fewer resources are straining the charitable food system at a time when more people are turning to us for help. In response, we are mobilizing the largest Thanksgiving distribution in New York State — a massive, coordinated effort reaching from the Lower Hudson Valley to the Capital Region and the North Country. This is only possible because of the incredible generosity and partnership of our entire community." Working with its robust network of community partners, the Regional Food Bank will provide an unprecedented 10,500 Thanksgiving meals to 2,250 people in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Washington and Warren counties. About 75 community volunteers will join Regional Food Bank staff, sponsors and partners at six specially designated distribution sites in four North Country and Adirondack counties will help hand out Thanksgiving Day ingredients, which will allow families to cook their own meal at home. This more than 30-pound ingredient box is filled with food items (turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, gravy, vegetables, fruit, potatoes and dessert) sourced from local partners. "As the holiday season approaches, families are looking for meaningful ways to celebrate, and that often means gathering around the table to share a meal," said Ken Knelly, Acting President of Clinton Community College. "We are looking forward to hosting this historic Thanksgiving meal distribution at Clinton Community College's Institute for Advanced Manufacturing. Clinton is proud to work alongside the Regional Food Bank and other crucial community partners in supporting people across the North Country by providing a complete and tasty meal that they can enjoy with their families — all at no cost." "Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and giving back, and we believe everyone deserves a place at the table," said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper. "We're proud to stand alongside the Regional Food Bank to ensure more families can share a holiday meal together. The Food Bank has been a vital partner in our effort to fight food insecurity for decades, and we're honored to once again support their shared commitment to bring comfort and nourishment to even more of our neighbors during this special time of year. In 2024, after more than 50 years of serving the Capital Region, Equinox asked the Regional Food Bank to step up and serve those in need for Thanksgiving. Last year, the Regional Food Bank served more than 150,000 Thanksgiving meals in six counties of the Capital Region. This year, the Regional Food Bank, with the help of 2,500 community volunteers, will provide the largest single-day Thanksgiving Meal Distribution in New York State, handing out 350,000 meals, serving 75,000 people at 21 distribution sites across the 23 counties in the Food Bank's service area. DISTRIBUTION PICKUP LOCATIONS Institute for Advanced Manufacturing – Clinton Community College – Plattsburgh Joint Council for Economic Opportunity – Malone Salvation Army – Glens Falls Whitehall Junior/Senior High School – Whitehall KEY VOLUNTEERS, DONORS AND SPONSORS Kathy Thiel and Eric King Price Chopper/Market 32 Central Hudson Gas & Electric St. Peter's Health Partners Don and Kathy Frommer Madeline Spagnoli Ulster Strong Stop and Shop Highmark Blue Shield Phil with Love Foundation Fennimore Asset Management United Way of the Greater Capital Region Berkshire Bank William Yager Memorial Foundation Bill and Nancy Peter Bruderhof Communities D Ben Securities AFLAC Affinity by Molina Healthcare

Signup for our newsletter

Regional Food Bank & friends organize largest Thanksgiving Meal Distribution event

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS