Carmel Hamlet, NY - New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that his 22nd food drive collected 500 pounds of donations of food and toiletries for the Putnam Community Action Program (CAP) Food Pantry, which helps to feed some of the neediest members of the community, including many seniors. 

The food drive was held on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Carmel Hamlet at Drew United Methodist Church, which partnered with Harckham for the event.

More than a dozen volunteers from the church, members of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and Harckham’s own team, including several interns in his Peekskill district office, participated in the food drive. 

“Too many of our neighbors are facing hunger and food insecurity,” said Harckham. “No child should ever go to bed hungry. Putnam CAP is on the front lines in feeding residents of Putnam County. I am proud to have partnered with them for the third time to assist in their efforts. Thank you to the dozens of constituents who pitched in and either volunteered or donated supplies on Saturday.”

Putnam CAP Director Marisa O’Leary said, “As the weather changes and utility costs increase, many families are finding it more and more difficult to meet their basic needs. We are incredibly grateful for Senator Harckham’s support in helping to ensure that our food pantry shelves remain stocked.” 

Harckham began hosting food drives in March 2020, shortly after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, to address rapidly growing food insecurity in his district. They are organized as “Drive-Through, Drop-Off” events, in which volunteers collect non-perishable food and other items for local pantries. 

Since then, Harckham’s food drives have evolved from pandemic-era emergency responses to ongoing community support initiatives, involving local volunteers, community organizations, and food pantries. 

To date, the senator’s food drives have collected over 30 tons of food and more than $15,000 in donations.  

The food drives have spanned the region, including Bedford, Brewster, Carmel, Croton-on-Hudson, Katonah, Mohegan Lake, Mount Kisco, Ossining, Peekskill, Somers, Stony Point and Yorktown Heights.