The Schenectady County Legislature is pleased to announce the purchase of a walk-in freezer and shelving units for the Daily Bread Food Pantry (Daily Bread) operating out of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church on State Street in Schenectady. These new additions, with a total cost of just over $30,000, will enable the pantry to serve more people and offer a wider variety of items, ultimately helping to save money and increase their impact on the community.
"The Daily Bread serves as a vital resource for our community, offering essential support and nourishment to individuals and families facing food insecurity," said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. "The new walk-in freezer will help save the pantry over $40,000 each year, allowing them to serve more people and provide a greater variety of food options, ensuring that families have access to nutritious meals."
The Daily Bread is a vital community resource that offers essential support to individuals and families facing food insecurity. So far this year they have provided over 120,000 parcels of food to those in need. With this new freezer, the pantry can store more perishable items, reducing waste and improving the overall quality of the food they distribute.
"As a choice pantry, we are proud to provide dignity to those who use our services by allowing them to choose the foods they prefer," said Jacqueline Clute, Executive Director of Daily Bread Food Pantry. “The walk-in freezer will allow us to offer a greater variety of food while also supporting our expansion on Crane Street, helping us better serve that neighborhood. We are incredibly grateful to Schenectady County for making this possible."
Daily Bread Food Pantry
The Daily Bread operates as a choice pantry, allowing individuals and families to select the foods they prefer, which promotes dignity and reduces food waste.
The second-largest food pantry in Schenectady County, Daily Bread is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Community members must call before 10:00 a.m. to place an order for that day. Calls received after 10:00 a.m. will be put on a list for the next day the pantry is open. Callers are asked to leave their name (spelled out), phone number, and date of birth. Volunteers will return your call, take your order, and set up a time for you to pick up your food order. By appointment only.
The pantry is always looking for more volunteers to help with their mission. For those interested in making a difference, please call (518) 347-1385 or email sldailybreadfoodpantry@gmail.com to learn how you can get involved.
For more information about the Daily Bread Food Pantry and the services they provide, please visit https://www.stlukesschenectady.org/food-pantry-urban-ministry/