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Philipstown Food Pantry reports 41% increase in first-quarter use; coordinator urges coordinated town response
Summary
Philipstown Food Pantry coordinator Kirsty Lu Kiko told the board the pantry now serves roughly 75–80 households weekly (about 150–170 people) and reported a 41% increase in utilization in Q1 2026 compared with the same period last year, driven in part by suspension of other meal services and rising costs.
Kirsty Lu Kiko, Philipstown Food Pantry coordinator, briefed the Town Board on a sharp increase in local food need and asked the board to consider coordinated responses and supports.
Kiko said the pantry operates as a client‑choice pantry, serving about 75–80 households on its regular Saturday distribution (roughly 150–170 people), and relies on more than 40 volunteers and long‑standing partnerships with local service groups. "In the first quarter of 2026, pantry utilization increased 41%," Kiko said, noting that one quarter normally is the slowest period of the year.
She described continuing supply and logistics challenges: the pantry makes about 25–30% of its weekly deliveries by volunteers to reach homebound or transportation‑limited clients, has expanded storage capacity at the sponsoring church to reduce weekly Regional Food Bank trips, and has added a part‑time paid coordinator position to manage growing complexity.
Kiko tied recent increases to multiple pressures: suspension of the Meals on Main market truck that served seniors, rising food and fuel costs, changes in SNAP eligibility and other funding disruptions. "Food insecurity in Philipstown is real. It's hidden behind closed doors and pride," she told the board, urging local leaders to consider additional coordination and supports.
Board members asked about age distributions; Kiko said seniors currently lead usage "by a little bit" and that single adults and families are also represented. Several board members and community groups offered follow-up support, including potential deliveries, farm produce donations and other volunteer assistance.
Next steps: the coordinator invited further discussion with the board on capacity and resources and asked the town to consider ways to reduce stigma and improve access to the pantry’s services.
