The Food Shuttle
The Junior League of Albany launched the capital region’s first, large-scale food pick up & donation shuttle program.
the problem
The JLA became aware that perfectly edible, nutritious supermarket food was going to waste, due to lack of an efficient, always-on method of transporting this food to local pantries. A league member’s mother had started such a food transportation program in Buffalo. In 1992, the JLA formed a council to connect this nutritious food with hungry families in Albany.
JLA in action
We coordinated a network & schedule of 26 volunteers to pick up food from grocery stores or events and bring it to soup kitchens and food kitchens. Operating six days a week, for average of 2-hour shifts, JLA members volunteered about 1x week and used their own cars to meet store managers at Hannaford’s, Stop ‘n Shop, Au Bon Pain, and Price Chopper. We transported breads, baked goods, and produce to food pantries & shelters, such as the Salvation Army and Capital City Rescue Mission.
The JLA worked with the Albany County Department of Health to ensure food quality & safety. (Thermometers were needed to make sure warm food stayed warm!) We also worked in coalition with the Food Pantries of the Capital District, a coalition of 36 local pantries, to make sure efforts weren’t duplicated.
JLA president, Claudia Carroll
the result
Most days, the shuttle transferred 250 – 300 lbs of food. In 1998, our food shuttle drivers moved a total of over 60,000 pounds of food.
Albany’s Trinity Institution admitted that without the Food Shutte, their clients would “not have the opportunity to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.”
In 2001, the league transferred ownership of the shuttle to the Food Pantries of the Capital District. The JLA received an “JC Penney Golden Rule” award and Resolution 166, a recognition by Albany County Legislature.
Back Row: JLA members Karen Klocke & Karen Vecellio
