Integrated Basic Needs Support

Funds programs that provide food, housing, shelter, and social, recreational, and clinical supports to homeless, unemployed, and low-income or disadvantaged individuals.

Provides food, clothing, water infrastructure, heating systems, solar power, lighting, flooring, and structural repairs in underserved areas; supports construction of small kitchens with cooking supplies to enable sustainable food provision, including in Baroda, India.

Collects and transfers funding to support specific humanitarian initiatives, such as the purchase of a Ghusl-on-Wheels bus for dignified pre-burial washing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Delivers charitable aid including stipends, tuition support, medical expense assistance, vocational support, and marriage assistance to underserved populations, with a focus on Africa and South Asia.

Provides free clothing, including sweaters, jackets, pants, jeans, and accessories for men, women, and children, through an in-person distribution system known as The Closet.

Distributes free home goods such as home decor, small appliances, glassware, books, games, and puzzles through an in-person program.

Operates a food pantry that distributes non-perishable food items such as beans, lentils, pasta, rice, canned proteins, and canned produce, along with fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and donated breads, rolls, and pastries when available. The pantry serves over 200 families per month.

Runs pop-up pantries to distribute healthy food across a 10-county service area, expanding access to nutritious food in underserved rural communities.

Offers regular community programs such as holiday meals, children’s activities, and school supplies distribution to support individuals and families in need.

Constructed or maintained water cisterns in Haiti during 2022.

Provided earthquake relief services in Haiti during 2021.

Distributed food in Haiti during 2023.

Provided support services for orphans in Haiti during 2022 and 2023.

Operates ongoing volunteer committees in outreach, education, development, and finance to support core organizational functions and sustain program delivery.

Operates and maintains a comprehensive, searchable online guide listing food pantries, community meals, backpack programs, and local food sources such as roadside stands, stores, and restaurants in St. Lawrence County to improve food access.

Manages farmers markets in Canton, Potsdam, and Gouverneur as market manager, facilitating access to local food and supporting local farmers through programs like SNAP/EBT acceptance and Bonus Bucks.

Plans and hosts recurring community events including the annual Fight Hunger Fair, Dinner Series, Holiday Auction, and family-friendly events at Applewood Orchards to raise funds and awareness for food security initiatives.

Conducts community education about hunger and local food systems through public events, festivals, newsletters, and educational materials, including a Farmers Market Customer Guide and food justice advocacy.