The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is restarting a popup food pantry drive-thru in the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club in Lansingburgh. It was popular when COVID sent the need for food skyrocketing, and it’s back once a month on Monday mornings.

“It’s just a convenient, pop your trunk open, get your food and you’re on your way, which is a lot less intimidating for people in terms of accessing services,” said Denise Schultz, Emerging Programs Manager with the regional food bank.

“With everything that’s going on in the economy, we just know that our neighbors are still struggling. Today, we saw about 275 households come through our line. The cars were backed up about five blocks today. And that was before we had even started,” she said.

Each bag contained plenty of produce and protein, which can be two of the most expensive items on a grocery list. Much of the ingredients are locally sourced.  

The food bank covers 23 counties. It is working on identifying communities where the need is increasing— and filling gaps where food pantries can’t meet the rapidly increasing need.  

“So we’re seeing those numbers again. It’s a little scary, but we know that we have the ability to help meet that need and we’re hoping to do that in other communities as well,” Schultz said.

Volunteers see many people who are working, but can’t make ends meet.

Kelly Fletcher started volunteering during the pandemic, as a way to get outside and give back. He’s observing a similar level of need.

“I don’t know if it surprises me. It disappoints me, right? It’s hard to believe this in the richest country in the world, that we still have a disconnect between where the food is and the people who need it,” he said.

For more information about food options, visit regionalfoodbank.net and click on “find food.”