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photo on the left are Trina Ward Fontaine and Erika Pierce hold a ceremonial big check in a food bank space with boxes of vegetables in the background. The check is paid to the order of The Pantry for $12,500. Photo two are Clare Murray, Erika Pierce, and volunteers for the Community Center of Northern Westchester hold a ceremonial big check paid to the order of CCNW for $7,000. Shelves with food pantry items fill the background.

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Board Supports Northern Westchester Organizations Fighting Hunger

Ahead of Hunger Action Day on September 29, Legislator Erika L. Pierce (D–Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) spotlighted two Northern Westchester community-based organizations working to address food insecurity.

Hunger Action Day, the annual signature day of Hunger Action Month, raises awareness of hunger and food insecurity and highlights the food assistance efforts and policies that can help address it.

Last week, Legislator Pierce presented ceremonial checks representing $19,500 in County funding to The Pantry in Mount Kisco and the Community Center of Northern Westchester in Katonah.

Through its 2026 Community Based Organization funding, the Westchester County Board of Legislators allocated $12,500 to The Pantry and $7,000 to the Community Center of Northern Westchester to support their food assistance programs.

Forty-one percent of Westchester County households cannot afford the basic cost of living, including housing, food, health care, childcare, and transportation, according to Feeding Westchester, the Elmsford-based nonprofit food bank. One in five County residents are food insecure. Westchester County recognizes the scale of the need, particularly for older adults and children who cope with day-to-day hunger.

Legislator Pierce said, “Hunger Action Day is an important reminder that many of our neighbors are struggling with hunger on a daily basis, especially given the increasing cost of living. While lowering prices must be a priority, addressing food insecurity here and now is leading government, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, businesses, and neighbors to all work together. I am proud to support organizations such as The Pantry and the Community Center of Northern Westchester, both of which are working every day to make sure our neighbors do not go to bed hungry.”

The Pantry

Based in Mount Kisco, The Pantry provides nutritious food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity throughout Northern Westchester. The organization serves more than 550 families each week across 21 Northern Westchester communities, reaching more than 2,000 individuals, according to the organization.

The Pantry operates a choice-style food pantry offering fresh produce, dairy, grains, and protein, and also provides home deliveries. It distributes approximately 1 million pounds of food each year at no cost to recipients.

Trina Ward Fontaine, Executive Director and CEO of The Pantry said, “We are deeply grateful to the Westchester County Board of Legislators for its continued investment in The Pantry and in the health and well-being of our community. This $12,500 contract award will help us provide nutritious food to our neighbors who are facing food insecurity at a time when the need for our services continues to grow. We are proud to partner with the County in ensuring that individuals and families throughout Northern Westchester have access to the food they need to thrive.”

Community Center of Northern Westchester

The Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW), based in Katonah, connects residents throughout Northern Westchester with food, basic necessities, and other resources. In 2025, CCNW distributed 774,205 pounds of food through more than 15,000 food pantry visits and home deliveries. The organization operates a monthly choice pantry offering fresh produce, dairy, grains, and protein, and provides home deliveries when needed.

Clare Murray, Executive Director of the Community Center of Northern Westchester, said, “We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary support during Hunger Action Month. This crucial funding will directly alleviate the daily strain for so many families. Thank you for recognizing this pressing need and partnering with us in our work to reduce food insecurity.”