Food pantry dedicated to vets opens in Catskill

CATSKILL―A new food pantry dedicated to helping local veterans, only the second of its kind in New York State, is now open in Jefferson Heights.

The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center launched the remote food pantry at its community-based outpatient clinic on Tuesday, in partnership with the Regional Food Bank.

“As a food bank, our job and desire is always to get food to―and create access points for― people who need it the very most,” explained Michael-Aaron Poindexter, chief program officer at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York that serves 23 counties across the state.

In Greene and Columbia counties, Poindexter noted, there are high rates of both food insecurity and veterans in need.

“The beautiful thing about the clinic is it creates a one-stop opportunity. So, veterans come in to receive their health care treatment then they can come around the corner to receive the food that they need to survive,” he said.

The collaboration is part of the Regional Food Bank’s “Food as Medicine” initiative that unites the organization with health care agencies to develop on-site pantries and meet people where they are.

“In this case, veterans,” said Poindexter.

Jason Goman, chief of The Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, said they can gauge how dire the local need is based on income levels of those who come into their 11 community-based outpatient clinics.

“So, we know the clinics where the most need is. This one was identified as next in line,” Gorman explained.

The VA and Regional Food Bank collaborated on its first remote food pantry last year in Essex County. Gorman said more are planned for additional rural community-based outpatient clinics where veterans may not have convenient or regular access to the larger on-site food pantry at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.

“Stigma with food insecurity is high, regardless of veteran and non-veteran, where you live, who you are,” said Poindexter.

“However, with veterans who went and fought, served, put their lives on the line, it is particularly difficult for them to be in a position where they are in need,” he added.

Greene County is home to more than 3,000 veterans and nationwide it is estimated that one in nine working age veterans faces hunger. Food insecurity, Gorman pointed out, can significantly impact older veterans who are living on a fixed income.

“It is very difficult for veterans to ask for help. Very typically it is at an urgent level when they finally do ask for help,” Gorman said.

There are no income requirements to use the pantry but veterans need to be enrolled in VA health care.

“For the most part, the vast majority of the veterans qualify,” said Poindexter.

Appointments are not needed and the pantry is open during regular clinic hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition to non-perishable food items, it also stocks kitchen necessities like can openers and measuring cups.

Poindexter said community support of the Regional Food Bank is always needed, whether it be through donations or volunteering. But the bigger need is to reduce the social judgement that can act as a barrier and stop those facing hunger from asking for help.

“No one wants to say they are food insecure and we are working to reduce that stigma because food insecurity is everywhere,” Poindexter said. “It’s in your neighborhood, it’s in your schools, it’s in every nook and cranny of your community.”