Westchester County Kicks Off Food Drive

Westchester County launched its annual food drive today. 

It will take place June 22 and 23 and will involve collection locations in Yorktown and several other locations in the county.

The drive is pushed by the county, which teams up with local municipalities to rally citizen participation. Donated food is then distributed to 181 local organizations, like soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries by Food Bank for Westchester or directly to a local food agency.

The county estimates that hunger is made worse during the summer months. A release from county officials stated the number of households requesting assistance from the emergency feeding network at Food Bank has gone up 22 percent in the last year.

Last year's two-day drive brought in more than 10,000 pounds of food, collected at 53 drop-off points throughout the county by a dozen municipalities and libraries and 11 county departments.

Donations made in Yorktown will go to the Yorktown Community Help, First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and St. Mary's Food Pantry. Drop off locations are at Yorktown Town Hall, 363 Underhill Ave, the Yorktown Cultural and Community Center, 1974 Commerce Street, and John C. Hart Library, 1130 East Main Street in Shrub Oak. You can make donations elsewhere in the county as well (a list of locations is attached).

The most needed food items include the following:

Cereals: hot or cold (corn flakes, frosted flakes, fruit loops, oat meal, grits)]

Meats and high protein groups

• Canned meats: spam, ham, meat spread, beef stew, chicken, and corned beef
• Canned fish: tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel
• Canned or dry beans: kidney, lentils, butter beans, great northern, lima
• Canned soups: with beans, chicken, ham or beef
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Canned ravioli
• Canned spaghetti & meat balls

Beverages

• Drink mixes: iced tea, Kool Aid, Tang
• 100 percent juices in plastic bottle or can
• Milk: canned or powdered
• Canned juices
• Coffee or tea
• Hot chocolate

Fruits and vegetables

• Canned fruits
• Canned vegetables
• Canned spaghetti sauce
• Dried fruits: raisins, apricots, prunes
• Pasta and grains
• Rice: rice mixes and plain rice

Pasta: pasta mixes and plain pasta

If you are someone who needs help paying for food, you may qualify for food stamps and other benefits. Go to the Westchester County Department of Social Services to see if you qualify. You can find a local pantry or soup kitchen near you by viewing the Food Bank agency directory or calling the Harrison Food Bank at (914) 670-3026.