FOCUS Churches of Albany

Programs to Address Food Insecurity: FOCUS operates a full time Interfaith Food Pantry as well as a Breakfast Program in downtown Albany. During 2023, the need for services and resources provided increased significantly from the prior year. The Breakfast Program served 18,181 Breakfasts and 15,990 Lunches while the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry provided 134,835 Meals. FOCUS was awarded certain grants mid year from HPNAP and Nourish NY and were able to increase expenditures to meet those needs for direct food and supplies for the programs by over 350%. As a result of the funding from Nourish NY, the newly formed FOCUS Food Network uses those funds to distribute NY-grown food among ten other food panties in rural and urban areas of Albany County. Community Ministry: The Director of FOCUS oversaw various worship services during he year that brought together the six congregations of FOCUS Churches along with other community friends that provide the primary core of support for the organization in fulfilling its mission. Through this, pastoral care and support was provided to people on the street, using grants of cash or vouchers for service, where appropriate. Advocacy for legislation and government funding supporting living wage levels and food security for the poor was pursued with the public and with government officials. Learning Support for Children: In coordination with the Albany Public School District, FOCUS prepared grade-appropriate back packs filled with basic school supplies. Bulk volumes of supplies were also furnished to the local schools for distribution by school counselors to children of low-income families during the year.