Senator Farley Continues To Host Collection Sites For Local Food Pantries

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady) is pleased to report that his Johnstown District Office, located at City Hall, received over six boxes of food to be donated to local food pantries.

"The people of Johnstown are very generous and compassionate," Senator Farley said about the donations. "I am also pleased to report that several Lexington clients took on this cause as a personal project. They collected money and went grocery shopping before delivering several boxes to my office."

Senator Farley said his Amsterdam office has also received several boxes of donations. On March 26th staff will be delivering the donations to area pantries.

"Because there is still a need, I will continue to host my offices as drop-off sites throughout the month of April."

Senator Farley explained that both his District Offices collected food during the 2006 Christmas season and was pleased with the results so he decided to do it again this spring when he heard area pantries' shelves were bare.

"My Amsterdam office is collecting donations on behalf of Fulmont Community Action Agency and Montgomery County Catholic Charities. My Johnstown office is collecting for St. John's Episcopal Church and its NOAH program (Needy, Alone and Hungry)," Senator Farley said. "This way, all donations stay local."

These charities were chosen because the Council of Churches works closely with Fulton County Department of Social Services to determine needs throughout the entire county and St. John's stores the food. Montgomery County Catholic Charities' pantry serves roughly 50 families a day but has recently reported that its shelves are empty due to the volume of people coming in needing its services. Fulmont partners closely with Senator Farley in helping constituents with basic needs.

Drop-off boxes for donations will be available during regular business hours at the Senator's offices at: 2430 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY; and City Hall, 33-41 E. Main St., Johnstown, NY. For more information, call the Amsterdam office at 843-2188 or the Johnstown office at 762-3733.

"If you would rather donate directly to a food pantry with which you are more familiar, I encourage you to do so," Senator Farley said.

The following is a shopping list for the food pantries: tuna fish, canned or dried soups, canned vegetables, canned or dried fruit, canned beef stew or beans, dry pasta and sauces, dry or evaporated milk, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, tea or coffee, cereal, personal hygiene products, band-aids, deodorant, tooth paste, diapers, and baby food.

Senator Farley's District Offices are also drop-off sites for old American flags that need to be disposed of properly, used eyeglasses for local Lions Clubs' causes, and used cell phones that the local Sheriff's Departments re-program for senior citizens to have in their cars in case of emergencies.