Staff and board members at Second Chance Foods, Inc., recently provided a tour of its soon-to-be new home in Brewster with a small group of advocates. The organization is moving from its current home on Federal Hill Road, into the Village of Brewster.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Assemblyman Matt Slater, Brewster Village Mayor Jim Schoenig, State Sen. Pete Harckham’s Chief of Staff Brian Pugh and others learned about the organization’s mission and history, walked through the new facility, and discussed the financial challenges of the move, the critical need for services to continue and grow, and how local government can help secure support and funding.
Second Chance Foods collects food from grocery stores, local farms, orchards and other organizations that have a surplus, then uses its commercial kitchen to cook or process items that need a longer shelf life, and connects the fresh groceries and prepared meals with those in need through local hunger relief organizations, food pantries and through weekly distribution.
Recently celebrating its eighth birthday, the organization has provided more than 300,000 pounds of fresh groceries via 11,400 volunteer hours to people in need.
“Providing close to 93,000 meals last year, we are looking forward to continuing to support their mission of helping our neighbors in need,” said Slater.
The new space brings Second Chance Foods closer to its long-time hunger relief partners from Putnam Community Action Partnership. For seven years now, CAP has shared food donor partnerships with Second Chance Foods, which has in turn provided CAP with cooked meals for both their pantry and soup kitchen.
More information about the new space, and upcoming walk-through opportunities for supporters and volunteers, will be announced soon.