Food Insecurity Spike
Unity House has seen an increase in need from households facing food insecurity. Often, the people who come to us in need have jobs, but they don’t make enough money to meet their needs. Sometimes their paychecks put them just above the poverty level, so resources are not readily available. For this reason, food pantries and a community meal are lifelines. They help people avoid painful spending trade-offs, since the grocery budget is the first thing to get cut. No one should have to decide between paying the rent or filling the fridge.
Thanksgiving
Just like each family does Thanksgiving in their own way, the same is true for non-profits. Some offered a meal, others offered groceries. It wasn’t always efficient and sometimes it did not meet people’s needs. Based on consumer feedback, Unity House transitioned to groceries instead of a Thanksgiving meal. We still offer a turkey feast with all the sides, but it’s in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, a day our sites are closed. Our consumers shared that they preferred groceries over a single meal so they could prepare their own Thanksgiving meal, one that fit with their family size, traditions, and meal preferences. Focusing on groceries rather than meals offers dignity of choice and reduces food waste.
Regional Partnerships Make the Difference
The Regional Food Bank, which Unity House has always worked with, has taken over Albany’s traditional Thanksgiving day feast and updated it to meet needs: the needs of people who are living with hunger, as well as the needs of non-profit agencies that provide direct service. By working with those on the ground, the Regional Food Bank is able to help efficiently. This year, the Food Bank’s coordinated Thanksgiving plans in the Capital Region will be across six counties: Greene, Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Columbia, and Rensselaer. Unity House will host the Thanksgiving food distribution for Rensselaer County the weekend leading up to Thanksgiving.
How You Can Help
If you’d like to help address Unity House’s food insecurity efforts, please consider a donation. You can make a secure gift online here. Your support helps us feed families and individuals throughout the year, addressing unmet needs and connecting guests to additional resources, offering holistic support that can be empowering.