Albany County, Regional Food Bank of NENY and United Way announce a first-of-its-kind partnership to close the County's meal gap

United Way of the Greater Capital Region (UWGCR) was proud to join its partners on Monday, November 13, 2023, in the morning at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, where Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and County Legislator Wanda Willingham announced groundbreaking support for nonprofits working to advance nutrition security in the Capital Region. In an effort to close the county’s growing meal gap, next year's Albany County budget will include $175,000 for the Food Bank and an additional $75,000 for UWGCR.

In 2023 alone, the Food Bank and its 58 partner agencies will serve 3.7 million meals to Albany County families and individuals in-need. The County’s $250,000 investment will allow for an additional 400,000 meals to be served next year, cutting into the current meal gap of 1.4 million. 

“United Way and our partners have provided millions of nutritious meals to Capital Region children through our Summer Meals Collaborative and we’ve spent significant resources on research and innovation around the root causes of food insecurity,” said Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. “As Albany County residents grapple with the combination of rising costs, the end of pandemic-era benefits and various efforts to reduce nutrition benefits programs, County Executive McCoy and Legislator Willingham are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work on this challenge for Albany County families. United Way is proud to join our partners from the Regional Food Bank to advance innovative solutions that will close the meal gap in Albany County.”

You can learn more about Monday's first-of-its-kind partnership by reading the official press release on the Albany County website.