Join Our 2nd Annual Community Canned Food Drive!

We’re excited to bring your attention to a momentous occasion this month – National Canned Food Month! This annual observance is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the impact of canned goods on communities and the fight against hunger.

Over 10% of people in New York State are at risk of hunger. Almost 40% of people fall within the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Threshold within Westchester and Putnam and don’t make enough to provide for their basic needs, including food. In 2022, 125,562 households in Westchester County were below the ALICE Threshold.

National Canned Food Month recognizes the vital role canned foods play in providing nutritious, convenient, and shelf-stable options for families facing food insecurity. It’s a time to raise awareness about the importance of canned foods in addressing hunger-related issues and supporting those in need.

We are excited to announce that United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Westchester Library System, and the Mid Hudson Library System are partnering again this year for the second annual Canned Food Drive, Feb. 1- Feb. 22, 2025.

In honor of National Canned Food Month in February, United Way and the Westchester Library System are collecting canned goods to donate to Brewster Community Food Pantry, St Johns Food Pantry, and Feeding Westchester, which will be distributed among many food pantries across Westchester County.

National Canned Food Month highlights the convenience and long shelf life of canned goods, which provide essential nutrients when fresh produce is not always accessible. Contrary to the myth that canned foods are unhealthy, they often offer similar nutritional value to fresh and frozen options. In Westchester and Putnam Counties, food insecurity is a growing issue, with around 40% of households falling in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold and struggling to make ends meet. Even small donations can make a significant impact in ensuring everyone has access to nutritious meals.

Last year, an incredible 3,600 pounds of food were donated through the drive, making a tremendous impact on those in need. This year, we can do even better. Let’s come together to support those struggling with hunger in our community! Your contributions will make a difference for countless individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Items Needed: Healthy Non-perishable foods, Canned Vegetables (Corn, green beans, peas, carrots, mixed vegetables, etc.), Canned Fruits (Peaches, pears, pineapple, mixed fruit, applesauce, etc.), Canned Proteins (Fish, beef, poultry, pork, spam, beans), Canned Sauces, Soups, Stews (Tomato sauce, chicken noodle soup, beef stew, vegetable soup, etc.), Canned Meals (Ravioli, spaghetti, chili, canned pasta, and other ready-to-eat meals), Other Non-Perishable Items such as Rice, pasta, grains (quinoa, oatmeal, couscous, cereal), dried beans (kidney, pinto, black, lentils), cereal, peanut butter or other nut kinds of butter (good sources of protein), Olive oil and other healthy oils in plastic bottles, Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish, salt, pepper, spices), Baby food (jars/cereal), powdered formula, shelf-stable milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk, powdered milk, and Juices/boxes.

We are NOT able to accept items in glass containers, expired items, items that have been opened or have damaged packaging, leftovers, cooked foods, and used items.

Partners of the drive include United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Feeding Westchester, the Mid-Hudson Library System, and the Westchester Library System.

For more information about the drive, participating libraries, and how you can get involved, please visit uwwp.org/canned-food-drive or contact AmeriCorps VISTA, Ali Glass, at [email protected].