ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Patricia Fahy announced $75,000 in capital and operating funds were secured through her office for Grassroot Givers, Inc. Founded in 2009 by Mary Partridge-Brown and Roberta Sandler, the organization started in a garage, responding for a family who lost everything in a house fire. They receive books, clothing, and home essentials to give to those experiencing poverty in the community, serving hundreds of families each year with their services.

Grassroot Givers is committed to creating opportunities for individuals and families experiencing poverty in Albany. They pride themselves on ensuring everyone has their basic needs met in a manner that treats people with dignity and respect while reducing waste in landfills and connecting the resources the community has to share with the specific needs of their neighbors. They provide like-new clothing to over 600 community members every month, including casual, career, and children’s options. Their Home Essentials Program works closely with the Healthy Alliance team providing kitchen and home items like pots, dishes, blankets, towels, and small appliances to help 380 families per year with the transition into an apartment. Together, they work toward a shared goal of improving the overall health of vulnerable individuals in the Capital Region.

In 2011, Grassroot Givers expanded to add the Book Project in an effort to support literacy for all. They share books through several literacy programs and have distributed over half a million books in the last 15 years. They work with the Albany City School District, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, the Schenectady County Jail, and more. Additionally, they share hundreds of books through a network of over 20 Little Free Libraries throughout the City of Albany and via their Book Bikes – eye-catching mobile libraries that bike around the region. They have partnered with Homeless and Travelers Aid Society to ensure that 600 students in the Albany City School District receive one book each week of the school year with their weekend food backpack, expanding their access and allowing families to accumulate books for a home library.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Pat Fahy for her support and for securing funding for Grassroot Givers. This significant contribution made our expansion and renovation possible, allowing us to broaden our reach and better serve our neighbors across the community,” said Stacey Erwell, Executive Director of Grassroot Givers.

Grassroot Givers is located at 522 Washington Avenue in Albany. They are always in search of volunteers looking to give back in a way that can fit their skills, schedule, and interests, and they depend heavily on their volunteers to help directly support the community. Volunteers can apply directly on their website using the Volunteer Interest Form. To support Grassroot Givers with a financial gift, visit the Make A Gift page on their website. They are always looking for new or like-new books, seasonal clothing, home essentials, and more, and you can set up an appointment to drop off donations by calling or using their online scheduler. They will be offering Open House Tours from Monday, November 16 through Wednesday, November 18, and anyone interested can sign up on their website.

“Grassroot Givers is providing the Capital Region with the resources they need most,” said Senator Patricia Fahy (D–Albany). “Their expansion comes at the perfect time when families are facing an affordability crisis and federal cuts to food and housing programs, and they need access to basic necessities like clothing, household essentials, and books for their children. Talking to their volunteers firsthand, this is a special environment where every dollar is stretched to its maximum capacity. Thank you, Grassroot Givers, for your continued steadfast efforts to help our neighbors in their time of need.”

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