Watch the full press conference on Youtube.
A bright blue mobile food pantry will now patrol the streets of Port Chester and Ossining, thanks to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding awarded by the Westchester County Department of Planning. Caritas of Port Chester, a neighborhood soup kitchen and food pantry giving to anyone in need of food, drink, clothing or other emergency services, was awarded $287,500 by the County to purchase the van. In honor of National Community Development Week, Westchester County Executive George Latimer will officially cut the ribbon on the mobile food pantry, which will be used for home delivery of groceries, fresh produce and meals to those who are unable to access a food pantry in the Port Chester and Ossining communities.
Latimer said: “The purchase of this mobile food pantry is just one of the many reasons reestablishing our CDBG program in Westchester back in 2019 was so important. These funds can be used for infrastructure improvements, housing needs and community development in our communities, where a project may otherwise have been left on the chopping block. Because of this grant provided by our Planning Department, residents who may be experiencing food insecurity, or who have difficulty accessing a pantry will have an easier time receiving the good, nutritious food they need.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Planning Department Norma Drummond said: “Today we celebrate the accomplishments of all our CDBG-funded projects in Westchester. This is another example of CDBG funds being deployed by the Department of Planning to a partner agency in an innovative manner that will deliver resources directly to those in the Port Chester and Ossining communities with the highest needs.”
Urban City Council Chair Michael Mills said: “The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is the push that helps many communities to be stronger and more resilient. CDBG helps Westchester Communities address infrastructure needs, economic development, improves community centers, housing rehabilitation and supplements public services such as the Port Chester and Ossining Mobile Food Pantry. Many times, the projects undertaken would not come to fruition without CDBG funding.”
The CDBG funding was used for the following:
- The purchase of the pantry truck
- Staffing a logistic coordinator to manage the sourcing and allocation of farm fresh produce
- A refrigerated container for truck storage
- Shelving, mats and bins for food storage inside the truck
The vehicle will primarily serve Port Chester and Ossining, in addition to other neighborhoods experiencing high levels of food insecurity.
National Community Development Week was created in 1986 to bring attention to the CDBG program, at a time when the program was facing scrutiny by Congress. The week-long celebration is now used as an opportunity for communities to promote, educate and advocate on behalf of the HUD program.
Fiscal Year 2022 CDBG Awarded Projects:
Town of Bedford, Sidewalk Improvements - $150,000
Town of Cortlandt, Cortlandt Waterfront Park - $200,000
Village of Croton, Replacement of Grand Street Retaining Wall - $59,076
Village of Elmsford – White Plains Avenue Park Rehabilitation - $200,000
Town of Greenburgh – Greenburgh Park & TDYCC Smart Park Project - $34,000
Town of Greenburgh – Lois Bronz Children’s Center Playground Improvement - $200,000
Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW) – Roof Replacement - $111,250
Interfaith Council for Action (IFCA) – 22 Wildey Street - $46,500
Town of North Salem – Purchase of Senior Van - $66,700
Ossining Children’s Center – Childcare Scholarships - $50,000
Town of Ossining – Louis Engel Park - $72,500
Village of Ossining – Spring Street Walkability Improvements - $200,000
Caring for the Hungry & Homeless Peekskill – Fred’s Pantry - $24,000
City of Peekskill – Nutrition Program for Seniors - $150,000
Peekskill Housing Authority – Dunbar Heights Bath Revitalization - $200,000
Port Chester Carver Center – Rebuilding Carver Center for Tomorrow - $89,930
Port Chester Housing Authority – Traverse Avenue Playground & Multi-Sport Court Replacement - $130,000
Village of Port Chester – Alto Avenue Stormwater Drainage Improvements - $200,000
Town of Rye – Oakland Beach ADA Accessibility Improvements - $17,735
Village of Rye Brook – Senior Center Improvements - $50,000
Village of Sleepy Hollow – College/Cortlandt/Clinton Pipe Relining Project - $200,000
Village of Tarrytown – Senior Van Replacement - $100,000
Village of Tuckahoe – Sewer Repairs and Relining, Midland Place - $149,820
Tuckahoe Housing Authority – Jefferson & Sanford Gardens Improvements - $200,000
Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended Award Total - $2,895,511
Fiscal Year 2023 CDBG Recommended Projects:
Village of Dobbs Ferry – Memorial Park Spray Pad Sidewalk Installation - $154,000
Village of Elmsford – White Plains Avenue Park Rehabilitation - $25,000
Village of Hastings-On-Hudson – Warburton Avenue - $200,000
Village of Mamaroneck – Mamaroneck Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements - $200,000
Village/Town of Mount Kisco – Maple Avenue Streetscape Improvements - $200,000
Town of New Castle – ADA Compliant Restroom Facilities and Senior Center Renovations - $125,000
Ossining Children’s Center – Child Care Scholarships - $50,000
Town of Ossining – Louis Engel Park Bathroom Relocation - $200,000
Village of Ossining – Nelson Sitting Park Playground Replacement - $94,000
Caring for the Hungry & Homeless Peekskill – Fred’s Pantry - $24,000
City of Peekskill – Storm Water Improvements - $200,000
Peekskill Housing Authority – Dunbar Heights Bath Revitalization - $200,000
Port Chester Carver Center – Rebuilding Carver Center for Tomorrow Parking Lot - $140,000
Port Chester Housing Authority – Internal Electrical Upgrade Weber Drive Buildings 1, 3, 5 & 7 - $400,000
Village of Rye Brook – Senior Center Improvements - $50,000
Village of Scarsdale – Upgrades to Girl Scout House - $120,000
Village of Sleepy Hollow – North Washington/Valley Street Drainage Improvements - $200,000
Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Award Total - $2,582,000