What they reported doing
- #1 primary $214KEMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY - THE FOOD PANTRY OFFERS A CHOICE-BASED MARKET EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES OUR CLIENTS THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE ITEMS THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED. OPEN TO SARATOGA COUNTY RESIDENTS IN NEED, WE OFFER A WIDE SELECTION OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES, DAIRY, CANNED GOODS, AND PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS. ADDITIONALLY, WE WORK WITH VARIOUS LOCAL FARMERS AND FARMS TO BRING FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE TO CLIENTS, MAXIMIZING BOTH THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: FILLED 4,650 GROCERY PACKAGES TO PROVIDE A 3-5 DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES AND HYGIENE ITEMS 12,173 CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIORS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE
- #2 $356KPROJECT LIFT - PROJECT LIFT IS DEDICATED TO MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY'S YOUTH. THIS FREE AFTER-SCHOOL PREVENTION PROGRAM OPERATES ACROSS ALL SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 1 THROUGH 5. ADDITIONALLY, A SEPARATE PROGRAM FOR 6TH GRADERS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOCUSES ON SELF-ESTEEM AND BUILDING STRONG CONNECTIONS TO THE SCHOOL. 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: WE SERVED 107 FAMILIES, SUPPORTING A TOTAL OF 147 PROJECT LIFT STUDENTS IN GRADES 1-5. OUR STUDENT SERVICES TEAM OVERSEES KEY COUNTY-WIDE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE IN DECEMBER, A HALLOWEEN COSTUME GIVEAWAY IN OCTOBER, AND SCHOOL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION EACH AUGUST. 91 CHILDREN RECEIVED HALLOWEEN COSTUMES. 1,075 CHILDREN BENEFITED FROM OUR HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 265 CHILDREN WERE EQUIPPED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO ADMINISTERS SCHOOL BREAK AND SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, PROVIDING 382 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMPERSHIPS FOR PROJECT LIFT STUDENTS.
What they call their work
What they do
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Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Conduct advocacy to reduce poverty and expand access to servicesEngages in advocacy efforts aimed at expanding affordable housing, reducing food insecurity, promoting community well-being, strengthening financial stability, and improving access to essential support services for residents of Saratoga County.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Operate community garden for food production and educationManages a community garden at 10 Franklin Street that grows fresh produce to address food insecurity and promote long-term well-being. The garden also serves as an educational and recreational space, offering volunteer opportunities and youth programs focused on gardening, teamwork, and sustainability leadership.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Operate emergency food pantry with choice-based modelProvides a choice-based emergency food pantry offering fresh produce, dairy, canned goods, and personal hygiene items to residents of Saratoga County. In 2024, filled 4,650 grocery packages and served 12,173 individuals; expanded storage capacity allows for perishable donations including bread and meat, and partnerships with local farms enable inclusion of fresh, seasonal produce.
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Discount Retail for Reuse 1 activity
- Operate free store for clothing and household goodsRuns the Franklin Free Store, a donation and distribution center providing gently used clothing and household items at no cost to individuals in need. Offers shopping access five days per week and accepts donations by appointment Monday through Thursday, issuing tax receipts to donors. Expanded operating hours and relocated to the Michael and Stacie Arpey Family Community Center at 95 Washington Street as part of a facility expansion campaign.
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Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
- Provide free tax preparation services through VITA programActs as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partner, offering free tax preparation services to individuals and families who do not qualify for other free filing options, supporting financial stability for low-income residents of Saratoga County.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Provide safe, affordable housing and emergency financial assistanceOffers safe, affordable housing through Franklin Community Manor, which provides efficiency apartments for low-income individuals, and delivers emergency financial assistance to help cover basic needs such as rent, utilities, and medical expenses.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Run Project Lift after-school and youth support programOperates Project Lift, an after-school program serving students in grades 1–5 and middle schoolers, providing academic support, family engagement, and enrichment activities. In 2024, served 147 students across 107 families, distributed 265 school supply kits and 91 Halloween costumes, provided holiday assistance for 1,075 children, and awarded 382 weeks of summer camp scholarships. The program also includes private workspaces for family education coordinators and increased storage for distributing supplies, clothing, games, and books.
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Who runs it
- ALESSANDRA BANGE HALL — DIRECTOR
- ANNE MARKO — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN NEALON — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH SCHLEGEL — DIRECTOR
- GINA PECA — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER STRAUGHTER — VICE PRESIDE
- JASON LYNCH — SECRETARY
- JEFFREY GOLIBER — TREASURER
- JOHANNA FRIEDMAN — DIRECTOR
- KAREN D'ANDREA — DIRECTOR
- KRISTEN CORCORAN — DIRECTOR
- LAUREN MALLON — DIRECTOR
- MARY GAVIN — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW D'ABATE — DIRECTOR
- STACIE ARPEY — DIRECTOR
- STEPHEN CUTTING-MILLER — DIRECTOR
- SUSANNE ROGAN — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS RUANE — DIRECTOR
- ZACHARY MANZ — PRESIDENT
Who they work with
- Arpey Family Community Center Partner — Co-locates administrative and Project Lift staff within the Arpey Family Community Center building.
- Artisanal Brew Partner — Partner organization that has provided support or donations to Franklin Community Center.
- Buy Nothing Saratoga Partner — Refers individuals seeking furniture donation or acquisition services to this local Facebook group.
- CAPTAIN’s Treasures Partner — Directs individuals needing furniture assistance to this service of CAPTAIN.
- Clean Green Hauling & Removal Partner — Refers individuals needing furniture removal or donation to this local hauling service.
- Featherbed Lanes Farm Partner — Partner farm supplying fresh, seasonal produce to the Food Pantry for inclusion in food assistance packages.
- FreeCycle.org Partner — Connects individuals in need of or wishing to donate furniture with this reuse network.
- Gateway House Thrift Shop Partner — Partners to connect community members with furniture donation and access services.
- Habitat for Humanity Southern Adirondack ReStore Partner — Refers furniture donors and recipients to this Habitat for Humanity reuse outlet.
- Harvest Church Distribution Center Partner — Connects individuals with this church-based distribution center for furniture needs.
- Local farmers and farms Partner — Works with local farms to source fresh, local produce for food pantry clients.
- Mary Beth McGarrahan Funder — Contact person for corporate partnerships and unrestricted giving.
- Not specified Partner — Collaborates with community groups and individuals to host food donation drives.
- Pitney Meadows Community Farm Partner — Partner farm supplying fresh, seasonal produce to the Food Pantry for inclusion in food assistance packages.
- Price Chopper Partner — Partnered to provide gift cards for school break meals to families in need.
- ReShop for the Good Store Partner — Refers furniture donors and recipients to this local thrift store.
- Romeo Subaru Partner — Partner organization that has supported Franklin Community Center through donations or events.
- Saratoga Springs City School District Partner — Collaborates to operate the Project Lift after-school program across elementary and middle schools.
- VITA Partner — Partner organization providing free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
- area businesses Partner — Collaborates with local businesses to provide fresh bagels and breads, prepared meals, frozen meats and seafood, and beverages for the food pantry.
- civic organizations Partner — Partner in operating the Food Pantry Garden
- local businesses Partner — Partner in operating the Food Pantry Garden
- youth groups Partner — Partner in operating the Food Pantry Garden
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Choice Modelmethodology: client_choiceBy allowing individuals to select their own food and household items, we increase dignity, reduce waste, and improve utilization of distributed goods because personal choice leads to better alignment with actual needs and preferences.
- Experiential Education for Community Resiliencemethodology: experiential-educationBy using hands-on learning environments like community gardens as interactive classrooms, we build knowledge in sustainable agriculture and nutrition because experiential education fosters deeper engagement and lasting behavior change.
- Holistic Family Support Through Integrated Servicesmethodology: family_resource_centerBy operating as a family resource center that integrates multiple social services, we produce more effective support for families in need because co-located, coordinated services reduce barriers and address interconnected challenges simultaneously.