Tedisco Honors Gloversville Pastor with 49th Senate District COVID-19 Acts of Kindness Heroes Award

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) honored the Rev. Rich Wilkinson, lead pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Gloversville, with a 49^th Senate District COVID-19 Acts of Kindness Heroes Award.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Wilkinson oversees the Church’s food pantry, which feeds about up to 200 homes a week, and once a month, hosts a mass food pick-up that feeds 400+ homes in one day. 

Rev. Wilkinson also has been working with a group of philanthropists to open a Code Blue Homeless Shelter for the winter months that is housed in the church’s building. This past winter, they housed 20 people in the shelter and were able to connect a few with permanent housing and others with addiction help. 

During the pandemic, church services have been filmed from the Wilkinson's home with Rev. Wilkinson and his wife Stephanie's children helping with music. Rev. Wilkinson types his sermon each week to send to those in the church who don’t have access to the internet and Facebook so they can still feel a part of Sunday worship. 

“Running a food pantry is a tireless job and on top of being a pastor, Rev. Wilkinson has seen just how essential these ministries have proven to be during this pandemic. We are so thankful for the spiritual guidance, shelter, food, and hope Rev. Wilkinson has given to so many people in Fulton County and in the 49th Senate District. Rev. Wilkinson has truly been a bright ray of light in this dark time,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

If you know someone who is deserving of this award, please email tedisco@nysenate.gov the individual's name, address, telephone number, a brief description of their activities and their photo.