The Mellenville-Philmont Food Pantry is operating at full capacity this season, while Regional Food Bank supplies are at all-time lows. The rising costs of fuel for transportation and home heating oil, and rising food costs combined with the holiday season have increased the demands of food pantries to feed the hungry.

To help meet the demand of this busy season, the Philmont Public Library will again be accepting donations during the holiday season for the Food Pantry. Last year, almost 1000 items were donated during the food drive. The library is a convenient way to drop off food donations when you are picking up or dropping off your library materials.

The library hours are:
Monday & Wednesday: 1-5 and 6-8PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00AM - 1:30PM
Friday: 1-5PM
Saturday: 10:00AM - 1:30PM
Sunday: Closed

The food pantry is located in the basement area of Town of Claverack Offices at 91 Church Street. It is open for qualified people to pick up supplies on Tuesday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

Items in high demand at the pantry are spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, mayonnaise, pancake mix, coffee, juices, macaroni & cheese, canned fruit, and soups.

Another way of giving to the local food pantry is to send a check to the Regional Food Bank, with Mellenville-Philmont in the "memo" line. The amount of your contribution will be credited to the Mellenville-Philmont Food Pantry account and can be used only by that pantry to purchase food at a reduced rate from the Regional Food Bank.

The address is:
Regional Food Bank of NENY
965 Albany-Shaker Road
Latham, NY 12110

You can also drop a check off at the library made out to the Mellenville-Philmont Food Pantry. Monetary donations allow the Food Pantry volunteers to purchase necessities such as meats and cheeses for the freezer.

Special thanks to Mary Jean Hoose and Janice Anderson for assuming the role of Executive Director of the Food Pantry.

“If you can't feed a hundred people,
then just feed one.”
-- Mother Teresa