IAM at Clinton CC to Host Thanksgiving Distribution Site for a Second Year

More than 575,000 meals to be distributed from Hudson Valley to Capital Region to Canadian border

A man speaking at a podium next to a table with food on it and other people nearby

The Regional Food Bank, joined by agency partners, food industry partners, community leaders, sponsors, elected officials and supporters, gathered Monday at Clinton’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing to unveil plans for what is expected to be the nation’s largest Thanksgiving meal distribution effort.

The Regional Food Bank and its network of community partners will provide Thanksgiving meals to 100,000 neighbors across its 23-county service area, which stretches from Rockland County in the Hudson Valley to the Canadian border. The effort will distribute a total of 575,000 meals through 48 distribution sites and additional senior meal programs.

“Our mission for Thanksgiving is the same as the other 364 days a year, to ensure no one, not one member of our communities go hungry,” said Tom Nardacci, Regional Food Bank CEO. “That means supporting every child, every senior, every veteran, and every family facing food insecurity. We began planning this effort in January, and we are prepared to raise more resources, engage more volunteers, reach more communities, and serve more people than ever before.”

575,000 Meals Across 48 Distribution Sites

Each distribution site will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Neighbors will receive two bags of groceries weighing approximately 42 pounds, including a turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, green beans, and other ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

In addition, each package will include apples, potatoes, and apple pie made possible through Nourish New York, the state-funded program that enables food banks to purchase New York-grown and New York-produced food for distribution to residents in need.

To ensure the success of the effort, the Regional Food Bank is calling on the community to support the campaign through donations and volunteer service.

The IAM, located at 53 Clinton Point Drive, hosted the distribution for the first time last year and will once serve as a distribution site on Nov. 21.

A man speaking at a podium with people standing behind him "At Clinton Community College, we believe in the power of partnership and the importance of supporting our community," said President Ken Knelly. "We are proud to once again partner with the Regional Food Bank and host this Thanksgiving meal distribution at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing. Together, we can work to make sure families throughout the North Country region have the opportunity to gather and enjoy a holiday meal with all the fixings without the worry of added financial barriers."

Longtime Partners Step Up for Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving reminds us how much it means to have a community we can count on,” said Ben Bishop, vice president of human resources for Market 32 and Price Chopper. “For more than four decades, we’ve worked alongside the Regional Food Bank to provide that dependable support. Here in the North Country, the families we’re helping are familiar faces in our stores and neighbors where our teammates call home, which makes this work deeply personal. We’re honored to help bring holiday meals to 100,000 people across the region so more families can celebrate with a full table and more room for joy.”

Expanding Senior Meal Deliveries Through BOCES Partnership

In addition to meals available at distribution sites, the Regional Food Bank announced an expanded partnership with BOCES programs across the region to prepare, package, and deliver more than 10,000 ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals to seniors living in low-income housing communities.

The initiative builds upon last year’s effort, which provided more than 6,000 prepared meals to seniors throughout the service area.

“Each year, the demand for prepared meals for seniors and veterans continues to grow,” said Dominick Purnomo, Regional Food Bank Board Member and Senior Meal Chair. “We recognized an opportunity to both expand our impact and engage the next generation of culinary professionals in meaningful community service. We are grateful to the BOCES leadership and students who are helping prepare and deliver 10,000 meals to neighbors across our region. This partnership demonstrates that hospitality extends beyond the dining room and into the community.”

This year, Questar III BOCES, Capital Region BOCES, and BOCES culinary programs in both the Capital Region and Orange County will each prepare approximately 2,000 meals. The Regional Food Bank with volunteers led by Purnomo at the Albany Capital Center will produce an additional 2,000 meals, bringing the total to 10,000 prepared meals delivered to 72 senior housing locations throughout the 23-county service area.

4,500 Volunteers Needed

To carry out the nation’s largest Thanksgiving meal distribution, the Regional Food Bank is seeking 4,500 volunteers to serve on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Volunteers will assist with packing, distributing, and delivering food throughout the region. Individuals, families, civic groups, faith communities, and corporate teams are encouraged to participate.

For volunteer opportunities and additional information, visit regionalfoodbank.net/thanksgiving.

Significant Impact Across the North Country and Adirondack Region

Working with its network of community partners, the Regional Food Bank expects to provide Thanksgiving meals to 10,000 people in the North Country including residents of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington counties.

In total, more than 60,000 meals will be distributed throughout the North Country, including groceries intended to support families beyond Thanksgiving Day. The region alone will require 350 volunteers across 6 distribution sites and 9 senior housing locations, with more than 69,300 pounds of food distributed and delivered.

Building on Historic Growth

Last year, the Regional Food Bank, supported by 2,500 volunteers, distributed 350,000 meals and served 75,000 people at 21 distribution sites.

The expansion comes after Equinox, following more than 50 years of leading a Capital Region Thanksgiving distribution program, asked the Regional Food Bank in 2024 to help carry the effort forward and expand its reach to meet growing community need.

For a complete list of distribution sites, walk-up locations, senior meal locations, volunteer opportunities, and ways to donate, visit regionalfoodbank.net/thanksgiving.