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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 8 today celebrated the recent awarding of $77,000 in State grants to support three community-based food relief organizations in the region. The funding, from DEC’s Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grant program announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in October, is part of $5 million awarded to food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs statewide dedicated to assisting New Yorkers in need and reducing wasted food. 

Grantees include: 

• House of Mercy in Rochester received $50,607 to support the purchase of a cargo van and insulated containers that will allow the organization to increase the amount of food they can distribute to those in need at their emergency shelter;
• Irondequoit Community Cupboard received $22,960 to support the purchase of a back-up generator to keep refrigeration equipment operating to continuing to serve clients during the event of a power outage; and 
• Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry received $3,860 to support the purchase of a commercial combined refrigerator and freezer that will increase the amount of perishable food that can be donated to those in need.  

DEC Region 8 Director Timothy P. Walsh said, “These organizations have been proudly serving those in need every day for decades. Grants like this help keep their doors open and expand services while also contributing to DEC’s environmental and climate goals of reducing waste. New York is proud to make investments in community-based food relief organizations that are trying to keep up with the demand and fight hunger.”    

House of Mercy Director of Development Whitney Snead said, “The DEC-funded cargo van has transformed the way House of Mercy moves fresh food and essential supplies quickly and safely, ensuring our guests receive consistent, high-quality meals. This support directly enhances our mission and helps us care for hundreds of people who rely on House of Mercy.”   

Executive Director and founder of the Irondequoit Community Cupboard Debbie Evans said, “THIS is what ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ is all about. Most of our families have faced food insecurity many times this year. Many of them work several jobs and are still not able to make ends meet. The generator will keep our refrigeration equipment operating so we can continue to serve the town of Irondequoit.”  

Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry Manager Deb MacLean said, “We are very appreciative to New York State and the Department of Environmental Conservation for this cold storage grant. The additional cold storage will help us meet the rising demand for our services in the coming year.”  

A total of 97 Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grants statewide, ranging from $1,200 to $100,000, will help organizations purchase emergency generators and equipment used for cooling and transporting donated food, and expand the quantity and type of food emergency food relief organizations can provide to New Yorkers in need.   

The grant program is administered by DEC as part of an ongoing commitment to properly manage wasted food, prevent food from needlessly being thrown away, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, feed hungry New Yorkers, and engage with communities across the state.  

A full list of awardees is available on DEC’s website.  

The Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grants are part of Governor Hochul’s more than $11 million to support emergency food relief for food insecure New Yorkers. The remaining $6 million supports a renewed partnership with Feeding New York State and the 10 regional food banks by funding critical staffing and essential operations at food banks and their local partners statewide.  

DEC also administers the State’s nation-leading Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law which helps reduce waste and climate-altering emissions caused by landfilling. Governor Hochul previously announced a record 63 million pounds of food collected from the state's largest food-related businesses to feed hungry New Yorkers. The milestone is a direct result of DEC funding to capture new food donations and help build stronger, healthier communities. Watch a video announcing the latest record food donation milestone held during Climate Week and Hunger Action Month in September 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlt4A8CNOGE  

Additionally, each year, DEC partners with the Venison Donation Coalition and Feeding New York State through a cooperative relationship involving the New York State Department of Health, not-for-profit organizations like Feeding New York State's regional food banks, and deer processors. Hunters contribute nearly 40 tons of venison each year and, in 2024 alone, DEC issued more than $21,000 in hunter-donated funds to Feeding New York State and the Venison Donation Coalition.  

DEC’s efforts complement other ways New York State is leading on affordability, hunger prevention, and food diversion. The launch of free lunches for all children in New York schools is one of the latest examples, with others including: Nourish New York program; 30 Percent NYS Initiative for school meals; Farm-to-School program; FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative; Food Access Expansion Grant Program; Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs; and Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grants Programs, among other funding initiatives.