I was recently working the election polls when an elderly woman asked us if we knew anything about when her food benefits would arrive. We couldn’t answer her question because we aren’t allowed to talk about politics. All I could think about was that she had worked her whole life, retired and budgeted her money based on what she anticipated receiving. Now she was getting the rug pulled out from under her feet. I shared with her a list of places where she could research services, get food and meals. You will find a partial list below, as I’m sure I’ve forgotten some organizations.

Food shouldn’t be a luxury. I have difficulty with the number of keyboard warriors criticizing people for getting assistance. It’s almost as if wealthy people are convincing us that we should put our neighbors, the elderly and children under a microscope and belittle them for their choices. That couldn’t possibly be true? Why are we so forgiving of corporate tax cuts, but critical when taxes go to fill the stomachs of the people we see day to day?

Even if you aren’t able to share a meal, volunteer at a food pantry, donate or are truly not interested, please stop shaming people for trying to put food on their table. We do not know everyone’s circumstances. Please be kind.

Here are some area food pantries, free meal options and community resources:

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Regional Food Bank

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regionalfoodbank.net (resource)

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AuSable Forks

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JCEO Black Brook Outreach, 18 North Main Street, AuSable Forks, 518-647-5411, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Bloomingdale:

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Bloomingdale Food Pantry, parking lot of Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, Route 3, self-serve, grab-and-go (open 24/7, dried goods only)

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Elizabethtown:

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Adirondack Community Action Programs (ACAP), 7572 Court St, 518-873-3207 (resource).

Elizabethtown Community Food Shelf, Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall, 16 Williams St, 518-873-6521: Monday and Thursday 5 to 7 p.m.

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Lake Placid

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Lake Placid Thrive and Thrift, 31 Cummings Road, 518-523-9620, Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.

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Lewis

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Essex County, essex.cce.cornell.edu (resource)

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Saranac Lake

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Adirondack North Country Association ANCA, adirondack.org (resource)

— Community Lunch Box, St. Luke’s Parish, 136 Main St., 518-891-3605, Mondays and Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

— Community Supper Soup Kitchen, 63 Church St., 518-891-3473, Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m.

— Grace Pantry, St. Luke’s Parish, Baldwin House, Church Street, Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

— Saranac Lake Interfaith Food Pantry, 57 Church St. (back of the Presbyterian Church), 518-891-7325, Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

— JCEO Saranac Lake Outreach, 79 Canaras Ave, (Saranac Lake High School, Door 17), 518-897-1446: Monday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

— Moose Lodge Free Community Dinner, 176 Broadway, 518-891-0045, first Monday of each month.

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Jay/Wilmington

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Jay/Wilmington Ecumenical Food Pantry, 1169 Haselton Road, Wilmington, 518-314-6431: Thursday 4 to 6 p.m.

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Tupper Lake

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Tupper Lake Community Food Pantry, 40 Marion Ave, 518-359-3080, Tuesdays 9 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

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Vermontville

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St. Paul’s Assumption, Vermontville: 518-651-5757, Open the second Thursday of the month. Please call for the exact dates. (This pantry is closing in 2025).