New kitchen will provide more than 300 meals a day to families experiencing food insecurity
First meal served will be Wednesday, June 25
See pictures here
Empire State Development and The Salvation Army of Massena today announced the opening of a new kitchen space to prepare and serve food to those in need in the community. For more than five years, The Salvation Army of Massena has seen a steady increase in families and individuals coming to The Salvation Army for assistance as the cost of living continues to have the biggest impact on those already struggling to put food on the table. Recognizing this need, The Salvation Army of Massena put into place a multi-year plan to raise $150,000 to build a new state-certified commercial-grade kitchen at 178 Victory Road. Additionally, the new kitchen will establish space for a new job training program, in partnership with the Massena Central School District, Social Services, Massena Neighborhood Center, restaurants and area churches, for those interested in food service and/or hospitality industry jobs. See pictures of the kitchen space here.
“Food insecurity and lack of job training resources have a direct impact on our current and future economic productivity,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “Soup kitchens and food pantries are often a community’s sole source of free, healthy and nutritious food. That’s why Governor Hochul, ESD and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council found it critical to support The Salvation Army of Massena as it works to alleviate food insecurity and address workforce development needs.”
ESD is providing a $50,000 grant to The Salvation Army of Massena through its Not for Profit Capital Grant Program, which supports not-for-profit organizations that provide economic support in their region by providing matching funds for capital improvements.
“We are so grateful for those who have come alongside us to generously support this amazing project,” said Lieutenant Nicholas White of The Salvation Army of Massena. “This new kitchen will help us continue our vital programs and services for years to come.”
The current food insecurity rate in St. Lawrence County is at 15.6% or 16,860 total people.
The Salvation Army plans to serve meals three days per week when it is fully operational: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Its first meal will be Wednesday, June 25. It will serve 50-100 meals per day, which will be about 300 meals per week. The food pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and available on an emergency basis Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition to the $50,000 grant from ESD, other support for this project came from community partners including $30,000 from the Arconic Foundation and $10,000 from the Northern New York Community Foundation, as well as support from SeaComm Federal Credit Union, Brookfield Renewable Energy, Liberty Utilities, Caldwell Contracting, Stewart's Shops, BJ’s Charitable Foundation, a Louisville Hockey Arena fundraiser, private donors, special fundraisers, and more.
North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, “The Salvation Army of Massena is a lifeline for many in Massena. By expanding its services and creating a new, commercial-grade kitchen to accommodate those in need, The Salvation Army is helping to reduce food insecurity, establishing space for new job training opportunities, and creating more inclusive and equitable economic growth. The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is proud to partner with The Salvation Army to ensure that nutritious food is accessible for residents of Massena and the surrounding area.”
About Empire State Development
ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through ILOVENY. For more information, please visit ESD’s website here, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.