To the Editor:

I have a comment in response to your wonderful article about the Voorheesville Food Pantry and the generous grant procured by Assemblymember Gabriella Romero [“$10K for New Scotland Community Food Pantry,” posted online on Dec. 1, 2025].

The article stated, “Help isn’t always a given at some food pantries, like those in some high-need areas of Albany, which have residency requirements.” That statement is incorrect.

If pantries are HPNAP [Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, managed by the New York State Department of Health] recipients, they are required to serve all first-time visitors. As members of the coalition Food Pantries for the Capital Region, it would be the same.

The member pantries then refer families to their closest pantry or “home pantry” is the term we use. That makes it more convenient for the person seeking help and does spread the burden more appropriately among the pantries. 

In these difficult times for people, the Regional Food Bank and the Food Pantries for the Capital District are working very hard to see that all of the individual pantries are stocked with basic necessities and extras wherever possible. They are all dependent on the kindness of those of us who can help out by contributing time, money, and supplies at whatever level we are able.

Thanks again for sharing the good news about this grant and this pantry. Let’s hope that it inspires other grants and other contributions to all of the pantries servicing hungry people throughout the capital district.

Marggie Skinner

Albany

Editor’s note: The problematic phrase has been removed from the story.