Capacity Building for Food Pantries

A “Regional Stewardship” grant from the Foundation for Community Health in 2024, supported the Coalition to focus on capacity building within our local network of food pantries. Working with the team at More Than Food Consulting, the Coalition completed a capacity assessment of local food pantries and a day-long workshop at the Amenia Town Hall. Participating pantries were then supported to increase the sense of welcoming culture, connection to community resources and healthy food choices in food access programming across the region. The Coalition also formed a Steering Committee which guided Coalition convenings and supported work towards a Community Advisory Council. 

Grant recipients from the 2025 Capacity Building Mini Grants:

St Thomas Food of Life/Comida de Vida Food Pantry, Amenia NY: Funds supported a new walk-in cooler to increase distribution of fresh produce. Food Pantry staff and volunteers also worked to shift traffic patterns, accommodate more community gathering space at the church and to better support volunteers in warmly greeting pantry guests upon arrival. 

The Corner Food Pantry, Lakeville CT: Fund supported the volunteer board in assessing the need for paid pantry staff and in building the job description for a food pantry manager. Funds also supported improved bi-lingual English-Spanish signage for the drive-through distribution. 

Camino Al Exito Food Distribution, Pawling/Dover Plains, NY: Funds supported infrastructure, supplies and personnel for food distribution in order to safely and warmly serve more participants. 

Rock Steady Farm, Millerton NY: Fund supported improved outreach for the farm’s sliding scale reduced cost farmshare and also supported farm staff in working at the NECC food pantry in order to better connect with recipients of Rock Steady produce.

Click here to download the Mini Grant RFA. 

Click here to download the NECC Pantry Assessment from MTF Consulting.