In view of rising costs for life’s necessities, especially for older residents or families with children, local food pantries stand ready to help.
Volunteers are friends and neighbors who may benefit from the existence of the pantry or they may be people who simply want to lend a hand by helping their communities.
Groceries and fresh produce can be just out of reach for families on a budget that struggles to stretch far enough. It might not be all the time, but sometimes a bit of local assistance can make a big difference.
Periodically, The Millerton News looks in on the area food bank programs and updates readers on availability, location, hours and other details. While we try to be accurate at the outset, sometimes hours might change, so it is best to call ahead before visiting.
Understand that these locations are staffed by volunteers who want nothing more than to welcome their neighbors with a warm smile and good wishes. Volunteers are always needed to keep the pantries up and running smoothly. Donations of a few hours of time, groceries and funds are always welcome.
Millerton/North East
Location: North East Community Center (NECC), 51 South Center St. Phone: 518-789-4259, ext. 124. Email: foodaccess@neccmillerton.org. Hours: Every Wednesday, 3-6 p.m. and Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The NECC Food and Supply Pantry offers groceries and household supplies to local residents prioritizing nutrition. Member: Regional Food Bank of New York. Partnered with Glynwood Foundation’s Food Sovereignty Fund and its partnership with Rock Steady Farm and Chaseholm Farm to offer fresh vegetables, grass-fed yogurt and beef. Volunteers needed: Yes. Donations needed: Yes. More information: www.neccmillerton.org
Location: NorthEast-Millerton Library — two programs. The Little Library Pantry at Veterans Park, at the intersection of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue. Hours 24/7. Take what you need, leave what you can. Also, the Little Free Grocery at the Library, 75 Main St. Phone: 518-789-3340 or submit an order at www.nemillertonlibrary.org for pickup at the library. Residency requirements: No. Volunteers needed: No. Donations needed: Yes, online or to P.O. Box 786, Millerton, NY 12546.
Amenia
Location: Sun River Health, 3360 Route 343. Phone: 845-476-9343. Dutchess County Outreach Mobile Food Pantry. Hours: Every Wednesday, 2-5 p.m. Supported by a grant from Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and additional support from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Residency requirements: No. Volunteers needed: No. Donations needed: No.
Location: Vine and Branches. Immaculate Conception-St. Anthony’s Parish Catholic Church, 11 Lavelle Road. Phone: 845-373-8193. Nonperishable food items. Hours: Third Saturday of each month, 10-10:30 a.m. Residency requirements: No. Volunteers needed: No. Donations needed: Yes.
Amenia Union
Location: The Food of Life/Comida de Vida Food Pantry. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 40 Leedsville Road. Phone: 845-373-9161. Emphasis on fresh produce and nutritious foods, organic, locally sourced. Bilingual support staff/volunteers. Hours: Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Residency requirements: No. Volunteers needed: Yes. Go to www.stthomasamenia.com to sign up to volunteer. Donations: Yes. For information, email: contactus@stthomasamenia.com
Ancramdale
Location: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association at the Presbyterian Church Hall, at the intersection of routes 8 and 82. Phone: Jack Lindsey, 518-329-7306 or Hila Richardson, 917-414-8270. Hours: Mondays, 5-6 p.m. Call for an appointment. Residency requirements: Ancram Township. Volunteers needed: No. Donations: Yes.
Copake/Hillsdale
Location: Roe Jan Food Pantry, 2684 State Route 23, Hillsdale. Phone: Betty White, 518-441-2789. Hours: Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon. Emergencies: any time. Residency requirements: Taconic Hills School District, ID suggested. Volunteers needed: Yes. Donations: Yes, at IGA Market, 2628 Route 23, Hillsdale, or to P.O. Box 475, Hillsdale, NY 12529.
Pine Plains
Location: United Methodist Church, 3023 Church St., P.O. Box 511, Pine Plains 12567. Phone: 518-398-7692. Hours: Second Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-noon. Residency requirements: Pine Plains Central School District, with proof of residency. Volunteers needed: No. Donations: Monetary, food and toiletries. For information, go to www.pineplainsepiscopal.org
Location: Willow Roots Food Pantry, 7730 South Main St. Hours: first and third Saturday of each month, 10-11 a.m. Thrift Store, same hours. The Giving Box at the Pine Plains Library has drinks, snacks and food items. Phone: 518-751-0164. Residency requirements: Pine Plains Central School District. Volunteers needed: Yes. Donations: Yes, send to office at 23 North Main St., or go to www.willowroots.org
Millbrook
Location: Food for Folks, Lyall Memorial Federated Church, 30 Maple Ave. Phone: Emergency Pantry, 845-242-6508 for an eligibility appointment. Meals on Wheels, 845-677-4235, leave a message. First Harvest Pantry, May through October, Tuesdays, 8-10 a.m., until supplies run out. Fresh produce from Stonewood Farm.
Dover
Location: Center of Compassion Food Pantry, 52 Mill St. Phone: 845-877-9076. Assistance available by appointment, Monday through Friday. Offers food items and household supplies. Volunteers needed: Yes. Donations needed: Yes. Supported by a grant from the Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.
Lakeville, Connecticut
Location: Corner Food Pantry, 80 Sharon Road. Phone: 860-435-9886. Hours: Distribution is on Friday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Residency requirements: No. Volunteers needed: Yes, from both New York and Connecticut. Go to www.thecornerfoodpantry.org/get-involved to donate or volunteer or call the pantry and leave a name and phone number. Regular drop-off for donations is Friday, 9-10 a.m., but there is a container in the garage.
The refrigeration van at Sun River Health offices in Amenia serves the community as part of the Dutchess County Mobile Food Pantry program.Leila Hawken
More than a dozen parents, business owners and local political leaders gather at the Pine Plains Free Library to discuss childcare challenges at a focus group on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
But local officials note that money can’t fix the system on its own. Childcare centers are still in short supply. With area representatives from town, county, state, and federal government in attendance — including State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, County Legislator Chris Drago, and Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek — stakeholders gathered at the Pine Plains Free Library to discuss a path forward.
Drago opened the discussion by emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Without childcare, folks can’t work,” he said in his opening remarks. “Student enrollment is down, and that has a trickle-down effect.”
After Drago’s introductory remarks, the focus group was split into two sections. Upstairs, business owners and politicians discussed the hurdles that make it difficult to operate a daycare in the area. Downstairs, parents talked about the day-to-day challenges they’ve encountered in finding childcare.
“Childcare is about economic development,” Barrett told parents. “I think the real issue here is, how do we get more childcare in the rural parts of Dutchess County?”
Dutchess County has seen a number of childcare centers close in recent years. Last November, the North East Community Center shuttered its free daycare program due to declining enrollment and rising costs. The center’s chair, Irene Banning, was on hand Wednesday to give her perspective. “It’s a tough business for a center-based approach,” Banning said. “It’s a brutally tough business from a money perspective.”
The lack of daycare has an impact on employers.
Jordan Schmidt of Chaseholm Farm and Rion LoBrutto of Harney & Sons cited the need to accommodate alternative schedules for their employees because of a lack of childcare.
“Building a continuous team becomes very challenging,” said Schmidt. LoBrutto added that Harney & Sons are “pretty flexible with our employees, but people have to leave early, or their kids get sick. We have a lot of families that work for us. A husband will work the day shift and his wife will work the night shift. That’s not exactly great for their family life.”
Millerton mayor Jenn Najdek added that the area once had robust childcare infrastructure, specifically referencing the Astor Head Start program. The Millerton location of the Astor Head Start Program closed in 2021 due to declining enrollment. NECC took over their space on South Center Street.
Banning also noted the number of unlicensed at-home providers that have sprung up to fill the gap. Several other meeting participants cited leaning on friends or family to provide ad hoc child care. “One of the things I’ve been trying to figure out is, why is that? And what can be done to change that?”
Banning questioned the lengthy training requirements and building certifications required by the state, as well as the fluctuating funding sources a childcare center relies on. “First it’s grants, then it’s reimbursements. And every time it changes, you have to change your business model.”
Several attendees said they had taken steps to open their own childcare centers, but were ultimately discouraged by the time, cost and rules. Chaseholm Farm’s Jordan Schmidt is one of them. She was ultimately discouraged, however, when rising insurance costs and demanding regulations outweighed the potential benefits. “I think we need to be really clear on what we’re asking home providers,” Schmidt said. “What does the lift look like financially and time-wise?”
Jennifer Mañón, who runs the Panorama Early Childhood center in Red Hook, said her organization was initially able to survive thanks in part to COVID stimulus money. But Panorama struggles with the stringent ratio guidelines set by New York’s Office of Children and Family Services. Under current regulations, centers must provide one caregiver for every four children ages 6 weeks to 18 months and one for every five children ages 18 months to 3 years. The requirements ease as children get older: one caregiver for every seven 3-year-olds, eight 4-year-olds, and nine 5-year-olds.
Schmidt and Mañón called out the OCFS saying it’s time for change.
Hinchey said the Legislature has given OCFS the authority to change the ratios. In December 2025, she supported Senate Bill S.278, which eased some of the state’s more stringent child care staffing requirements. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the measure into law, but it did not set a deadline for OCFS to revise its rules.
“That’s something I think we can push for,” Hinchey said. “That’s something that could change tomorrow and be helpful in adding seats.”
Despite the numerous grievances, the focus group ended on a positive note. The money is there, and the politicians encouraged any prospective caregivers to apply for grants through the county’s Child Care Assistance Program. “This is a solid commitment for three years,” said Didi Barrett’s Chief of Staff Gunnar Wordon. “It would be beneficial to figure out who can at least apply for this and take it from there.”
New York Assemblymember Didi Barrett attended Wednesday’s focus group to hear from local parents.Photo by Graham Corrigan
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