1979

Concerned For The Hungry, Inc. - a not for profit corporation interested in doing something about the problem of hunger in the community of Schenectady, New York - was born in 1979. Its birth occurred during a meeting of people who were already working on the problem. Technically, Concerned for the Hungry is a corporation. In reality, it is people. It exists...it works...because they are CONCERNED, they care and they work (from a1981 historical perspective by Janet Holloway). There was a realization by many that the need for emergency food was growing and that action was needed to increase the donations of food, money, and volunteers to meet the increasing need. Even the large pantries found shelves bare at certain times of the year. The corporation arose out of this consensus. Representatives from Schenectady churches, Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM), Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP), Cooperative Extension, and others began to plan and organize the initial efforts (historical notes from Donn Slocum).
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1980

In October 1979, six people drafted a definition and purpose for the group, naming it Concerned for the Hungry. One of the initial thrusts was to open a food bank, which was done at 340 Broadway on a building belonging to the City Mission. The group used the name The Schenectady Food Bank for awhile. The second project was to write in support of a NYS bill, "The Good Faith Food and Farm Bill". It became the "Good Faith Donor Law" in June 1980. In March 1980 the group helped organize a locally run Hunger Walk. 10% of the total raised went to the "Food Bank Committee" of the new organization as its first operating funds. In May, the organization sponsored a conference by a successful food bank in Phoenix, AZ on "Community Food Banks and Rooms and tax laws". The organization met beginning in February with representatives from Albany regarding a "Capital District Food Bank". That group, Regional Emergency Food Task Force (by March 1982, REFT), worked for a district-wide-network. Meanwhile, in May 1980 the decision was made to incorporate into the "Schenectady Community Food Bank." Legal Aid helped with the incorporation. An old firehouse was our first warehouse. Meetings were held in alternating locations, homes, churches, etc. for the first thirteen years.

On June 19, two new members of the organization were added, and it was voted to incorporate under the name of Concerned for the Hungry. The incorporation became official on September 6th, 1980. The empty cornucopia logo (one of three submitted by first President, Donn Slocum) was adopted July 14th and a post office box was opened August 5th (for "6 months"). The first Directors of the Corporation were Evelyn Harris, Janet Holloway, and Donn Slocum. By August there were ten directors. The very first Food Drive was conducted September 5 and 6 at five of the Price Chopper markets. Church Women United shared the use of the Home Furnishings van, something that continues today.

In September, it was agreed that since no consistent and centralized Thanksgiving program existed, CFH would begin to manage one. Two people did intake; the location was at SCAP. An encouraging response of $2,000 in funds, $1,000 in food and media coverage was forthcoming. About 325 families were served; the cost was $1,106. At this time, the Salvation Army also decided to centralize the Christmas aid program. CFH sponsored a food drive for the Salvation Army in December with WGY. The food was collected at the main firehouse and taken to the Salvation Army.
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1981

A Spring Food Drive was sponsored with eight stores participating (five Price Choppers, two P&C's, one Grand Union). A Preferred Food Bag was modeled at each store. Proceeds went to the new Schenectady Food Bank. In June, two delegates were sent to the first National Emergency Food Conference in Nashville, TN. A VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer worked for CFH. CFH sponsored the Hunger Walk, which netted $1,267. Members attended a USDA workshop to learn about proper food handling. It was agreed that only individuals may be members of Concerned for the Hungry, although an individual might represent an agency or organization. Member cards were distributed. Problems with the existing warehouse caused CFH to seek a new facility. In August plans were made to operate our own "Schenectady Food Kitchen." The October Food Drive took place at ten stores (two other Grand Unions joined). The food was stored at the Craig Street Boys Club. The Stewart's in Saratoga gave bread regularly. CFH [participated in the October Hunger Walkathon. 350 people walked and a total of $1,500 was earned for CFH. The first Annual Meeting was held at 609 State Street on October 27th. The twenty eligible members elected the first Board of Directors (Janet Halloway, George Hartshorne, Peter Jones, Patricia Obrecht, Joan Sagura, and Donn Slocum). The Second Thanksgiving Food Program had sign-ups at 400 Craig Street and distribution out of St. John the Baptist School Hall. 275 families received boxes. Price Chopper and Ponderosa on Eastern Parkway sponsored a sit-down dinner for 80 indigent guests. SICM announced that it had saved $9,000 from its food budget from the combined food drives.
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1982

The February Food Drive garnered 4,100 items valued at $3,500, a growing amount. CFH buttons were initiated to identify workers at food drives. The Home Furnishing van was used and a donation was given to that group. Help was given in coordinating the distribution of 11,000 pounds of U.S. government Surplus Cheese. A brochure describing the organization was drafted. The 'salvage" food room was empty at the end of February. Plan were made to sponsor the "Grow An Extra Row" project for gardeners; fliers were send to those on the mailing list. Volunteers were recruited to pick extra produce on farms. Plans were laid to open a jointly sponsored Community Soup Kitchen with the Salvation Army in March. The first direct donations were made to SICM and SCAP from Christmas Funds and a gift from the First Reformed Church. A local farmer invited gleaning for the first time. In April, the Jaycees gave a donation from a Circus Day. CFH got it's first headquarters, a desk and a typewrite at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Salvage was ongoing at P&C's. 20-40 people were using the new Soup Kitchen; food pantries served more that 500 people in April. The Food Drive in April and May was the largest to date with 4,937 items collected with a value of $4,700 value. (Albany collected 1,795 items, worth $1,400.) A May potluck supper for CFH members at Janet Holloway's was the forerunner to the Annual Picnic of the 1990's. In May, tax exempt status was achieved. Summer gleaning of 60 bags for spinach and peas were distributed with the help of the City Mission's truck. The soup kitchen total for June reached 898. July saw new CFH stationary printed, as the membership reached 79 members. The October Food Drive rose to 6,289 items, and a central warehouse for the Regional Food Bank in Latham was found. Volunteers from CFH went regularly to the NW Region Warehouse in Rochester for food.
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1983

The Hartshornes organized Thanksgiving. Four days of sign-ups were held at Emmanuel Baptist Church and the distribution took place from the Church Hall at St. John the Baptist. Joan Ripps coordinated the food drives at the City Schools in 1983. The schools brought 10,028 items. There were over 300 volunteers, 18,000 items were given to 1,114 families (an additional 361 as compared with 1982). The Smolyns began directing the effort of the effort out of the IUE Hall. The cost of sponsoring Thanksgiving reached $4,762. In addition to Thanksgiving, the Soup Kitchen served 1,505 meals in November. The office of secretary was divided into two positions, corresponding and recording secretaries.
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1984

The February Food Drive was sorted at Bellevue Reformed Church. REFT hired a coordinator by grant from Christians United in Mission (CUM). CFH supported REFT by paying the phone bills.
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1985

The first Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds were made available to Schenectady County through CFH. CFH was chosen because it was considered an unbiased, comprehensive group to distribute the funds. A separate bank account for the moneys was opened in January 1993. At Thanksgiving, the number of families served was up to 1,664.
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1986

CFH joined Hunger Action Network of New York State (HANNYS). Thanksgiving served 1,832 families.
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1987

In March, under the good auspices of Assemblyman James Tedisco, a 15-seat van was obtained from the New York State Department of Social Services to be shared by Schenectady County food providers. CFH paid the maintenance and insurance. Pat Obrecht scheduled the use of the van among food groups. CFH provided insurance for the van and all of the volunteers. The Soup Kitchen project was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award. Barbara Markey and Mary Jean Burke received certificates from Governor Cuomo, honoring the project. The number of Thanksgiving boxes distributed was 1,997. The Home Furnishings van was stolen as it was being used for Thanksgiving. There was a lot of publicity about the loss and an outpouring of help, which provided more than the turkeys that were lost. The Adopt-A-Family project provided the makings of a Christmas dinner and was operated jointly by CFH and the Human Services Planning Council. Over 200 families were matched with donors. CFH members, Barbara Markey, Pat Obrecht, and Carol Smolyn organized it. Three food drives continued each year as they had since 1980. The first professional audit was completed after the fiscal year ended in December.
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1988

The Boy scouts joined the Thanksgiving effort collecting 28,000 items in the Scouting for Food Program. The $20,979 cost served 2,080 families and 7,336 persons. In the December Food Drive, there were four sponsors including the Air Force, which alone picked up 32,000 lbs.
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1989

Niskayuna High School sent $3,000 from a hunger consciousness event. Newsletters were sent four times a year. In April, the Regional Food Bank obtained a new warehouse at 421 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham. Mohawk Mall donated the use of a vacant store for storage and sorting of Food Drive donations. Henceforth, CFH did not store food but gave it immediately to the providers for use or storage. In May $7,500 was distributed to our coalition food providers. The Post Office started Food Drives: over 10,000 pounds collected in the June Drive. In July, CFH was approved for GE Matching Funds. In September, Tour of Schenectady Pro Bicycle Race sponsored by Schenectady City Merchants Council and Polar Beverages raised funds for CFH. At the Annual Meeting in October, Donn Slocum, first President, retired, after 10 years of guiding CFH. No one was found to accept the position of president. The Directors temporarily rotated these duties. Thanksgiving served 2,019 families, the first ever decline in numbers (down 61).
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1990

Stephen Nedosko assumed the Newsletter publishing work. Volunteers were invited to Volunteers Variety Night at Proctor's theater in June. The CFH Soup Kitchen equipment was given to the Salvation Army. New Food Drive procedures were adopted. The receiving organization staffed, advertised and picked the food at their assigned store. The Constitution was rewritten; the Board of Directors would number between 10 and 15. The Annual Meeting was held at the McChesney Room of the Schenectady County Public Library. Thanksgiving sign-ups were streamlined so waiting time was short. The Boy Scouts brought an increased amount of food: 35,000 items; 2,178 families were served. $37,000 was spent. In December, the Food Drive with new procedures brought in 20,000 lbs. And the Post Office Drive was an impressive 55,000 lbs.
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1991

In January, Barbara Whitaker became the second President of CFH. HANNYS asked CFH to join them in the task of organizing a coalition of Emergency Food Providers. CFH would be the "umbrella" for Schenectady County. The HANNYS staff would assist. CFH participated in Volunteer's Night at Proctor's again. 5,000 copies of a brochure about CFH were printed. The Pantry Coalition developed a Needs Assessment. The spring CROP Walk (the largest in New York State!) raised a total of $30,000. Albany Street Methodist Church agreed to allow CFH van to be stored in their parking lot during winter. For the rest of the year, the van would be at SICM. The Needs Assessment (later call the Hunger Study") was initiated by the Council of Community Se4rvices in Albany (CCS) and Siena College. The Board of Directors agreed to a new fiscal year of October 1 - September 30th and to suspend meetings in the summer. The Annual Meeting was moved from October to March. The Coalition of Food Providers named itself the Emergency Food Providers, a subcommittee of CFH, in its first meeting.
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1992


The Emergency Food Providers sponsored a workshop on the root causes of hunger. They allocated FEMA Funds among the food providers. From February of 1992 through June of 1998, the Holiday Inn contributed the use of a meeting room for monthly meetings. Doug Hoyt and Judy Rapavy initiated a Memorial Contributions Program. The Allstate Foundation awarded the first $2,500 grant for the Thanksgiving Program. Volunteer Night was held at Proctor's. A fund was established to replace the van when needed. Funded by a $7,000 grant from the Schenectady Foundation, CCS published the Hunger Study. It was presented to the Food Providers and the board of CFH in June, and also to the County Manager, Cooperative Extension and DSS employees. A press conference with State Assemblyman present was held at SICM pantry to present the findings. Al Lowe encouraged CFH to host a meeting of government and private organizations to begin implementation of the study and its fourteen recommendations. In September, CFH facilitated a meeting at the Salvation Army to set up a committee to oversee implementation. The Emergency Food Providers changed their name to Schenectady Food Providers. The Hunger Study and plans were presented to the Human Resources Committee of the County Legislature with the encouragement of the Chairman, Frank Ranucci. CFH voted to apply for a new grant to purchase services from CCS to help organize the implementation process. SICM sponsored the first Summer Feeding for children at five sites.

In November, the sign-ups were held jointly for Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas dinner at the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army reported serving over 2,000 families (up from 1,300). Municipal Housing distributed 500 of the Thanksgiving baskets to their residents, leaving more space at the IUE Hall. 2,494 boxes (serving 8,402 persons) were prepared at IUE. The leftovers, more than 50 boxes, were sent to the food pantries. In December, the Schenectady Foundation agreed to finance half of the Hunger Study Implementation Plan ($18,000), if the other half could be raised by CFH to match their funds. The Post Office drive collected 65,000 ponds of food. Price Chopper collections numbered another 20,000 pounds.
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1993

From this date forward, financial audits take place every two years. A van replacement committee was set up. The Annual Meeting was held in March at the Holiday Inn. The Hunger Study follow-up group named itself the Implementation Coordinating Group. Four board members served. The First Reformed Church, the Junior League of Schenectady and a CFH Board special appeal fund, gave matching funds. CCS assigned Claire Higgins as the professional coordinator for the ICG. President Barbara Whitaker chaired the committee. A plan to address each of the fourteen recommendations was published. First initiatives included an offer to assist the Schenectady School District in setting up a breakfast program, completion of a grant proposal to attain $90,000. For the county to do food stamp outreach (not awarded). In October, breakfast programs began at two elementary schools: Yates and Steinmetz. The training of food stamp volunteer help was begun. A community resource directory was printed along with clients' rights cards. Advertisements were purchased to promote the Food Buying Cooperative.

SCAP closed its food pantry in February. For Hunger Awareness Day, March 2, local officials toured the SICM Pantry and three had lunch at the Soup Kitchen at the Salvation Army. There are ten member organizations of the Schenectady Food Providers. The group adopted membership policies.

The van committee recommended replacing the van in 1995. The constitution was amended for board terms to begin in March and for officers to be elected in April. Thanksgiving fed 2,539 families out of the IUE Hall and five municipal housing locations. December board meetings were suspended leaving nine board meetings each year.
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1994

The Price Chopper and Shop-N-Save stores new policy of nor soliciting or leafleting hurt our Food Drives badly. Annual meeting featured Doug Sauer (from the Council of Community Services) on the importance of dialogue. The new Volunteer Advocacy Program was begun by SICM to aid in helping the needy get food stamps. 18 volunteers were trained. Food Stamp use increased by 30%. The first Board picnic was held in July at Cambridge Manor. Two Community Food Gardens had over 60 participants and good harvests. Barbara Whitaker, President, was on leave from September to February and Bill and Carol Smolyn, Vice-Presidents, led CFH. CFH subsidized an individual special diet case for six months. 2,745 families were served at Thanksgiving. Students from Oneida delivered baskets to Summit Towers. More schools participated in Thanksgiving than in previous years.
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1995

At the Annual Meeting it was reported that the CFH van made 227 trips to transport food. The speakers for the meeting were Patti Croop from SENSES and Lois Johnson from the Albany Displaced Homemakers Center. Alan Schick was elected as the third President of CFH in April. CFH agreed to support the Community Gardens Program (then in its third year) and to help fund SICM's established Summer Lunch Program for children which had served 11,000 lunches at four sites in the previous year. The second annual picnic was held in the summer. CFH promoted the Junior League's Voice Mail program for job placements. Thanksgiving reached 2,910 families. Statistics indicated that 45% were children. The Constitution was revised and passed.
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1996

New computers were purchased. Bethesda House became a new recipient of Food Provider services. FEMA funds were reduced: The ICG sought donors from new sources. CFH's first gift of stock was received. Sister Rose Marie Cardillo spoke at the annual meeting on the Teenage Pregnancy Program of Catholic Family Services. The van committee researched and recommended the purchase of a new food van. The WHEELS Organization funded the major portion of the purchase. Additional funds for the van were received from the USDA Summer Feeding Program and by a special appeal to CFH members. CFH and SICM would jointly own the van, but expenses and insurance continued to be underwritten by CFH. Its use continued with the motto "to bring food to people and people to food." The old van was sold to the Damien Center of SICM. The total insurance program was expanded. Extra funds were used to help the Salvation Army at Christmas. CFH staffed a booth at the Air Show, which yielded $540 for the organization. Thanksgiving distribution reached a high of 3,048 families (10,398 persons) served.
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1997

The Annual Meeting speaker was Mark Quandt from the Regional Food Bank. The May Board meeting was held at the Food Bank in conjunction with a tour of the facility. Bequests continued to support CFH. The responsibility for Volunteer Advocates for Food Stamps of SICM, supported financially by CFH, was assumed by the Office of the Aging. Two new food providers joined that committee. J.C. Penney's Golden Rule Award was given to Bill and Carol Smolyn for their long, admirable work as chairpersons of the Thanksgiving Program. The award came with a check of $250 for CFH. The annual Board Picnic was held. The Summer Food for Children Program was supported and served 17,356 lunches at four sites. CFH established a Fundraising Committee. The Ancient Order of Hibernians held a benefit concert in November and gave $6,000 to the Thanksgiving Program. 2,845 families were served at Thanksgiving, the first decrease since 1992. The greeting cards for the Thanksgiving baskets have been a project for school children since 1991. This year, there were enough cards for all baskets and more. The cost of mounting the Thanksgiving effort was $46,054, and the funds raised met the expense.
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1998

General Electric Matching Funds continued as a major source of income. The Annual Meeting speaker was Jim Murphy from SICM on Job Placement. A stock donation distribution fund was established. The addition of a new food provider to the committee brought the total number of members to 18 programs and 12 others. CFH supported an expanded Summer Lunch Program sponsored by SICM and helped staff it for two weeks. The Annual Picnic was held. The 20th Anniversary Committee prepared commemoration convocation for September 20th.
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(The previous History was prepared for the 20th Anniversary Celebration. The documentation ends for 1998 on that date. Coming soon will be the remainder of 1998 as well as 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 thus far.)

The following conclusion was inserted at the end of the Historical Perspective presented at the 20th Anniversary Celebration.

We can conclude, as did the Annual Report of year 1 in 1980:
"We have become what we wanted to become- one viable group of people who work together to solve a problem that is a major concern for all of us. We met many interested and dedicated people through our community efforts. We made efforts in other directions simultaneously. Our Organization is people CONCERNED for the hungry. It exists…it works…because the care and they work. We've done that and must continue to do that. We thank all who have been part of that growth."
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