Franklin Community Center: Neighbors helping neighbors

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Franklin Community Center Food Program Administrator Julie Slovic and her colleagues at FCC in Saratoga Springs are on the frontlines of a battle that seems to be intensifying annually.

Slovic directs the Emergency Food Pantry of the C located at 10 Franklin Street. Her department is part of a multi-program organization that addresses a variety of the needs of disadvantaged and working families.

“Hunger is a serious issue in Saratoga County, where there are 8.8% or 19,760 individuals who are food insecure, which means they don’t have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs. For some, our pantry is a source of temporary emergency assistance, but more often than not it has become a supplement to those with low or fixed incomes. The need for assistance in our food pantry continues to rise as more and more folks are struggling to make ends meet,” said Slovic.

Since reopening the Emergency Food Pantry in 2015, the food pantry has experienced an increase of 67% in the number of customers they serve on a monthly basis. They provide individuals and families with a 3-5 day supply of groceries once a month and are currently serving 910 individuals each month. Slovic adds “We believe that everyone de-

serves the opportunity to live long, healthy and productive lives and having access to healthy food plays a key role.” The pantry provides fresh fruit/vegetables, whole grains, and even low sodium and low sugar options to ensure folks are getting balanced and nutritional meals,” she adds.

As well as the food pantry, the FCC operates Project Lift Project Lift and a new middle school program that is unique to the Saratoga Springs City School District. The program places emphasis on positive youth development activities, raising self-esteem and the development of refusal, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills. “We are extremely excited about our new middle school program which looks to bond the children to their new school community.

The pilot program for Maple Avenue Middle School this fall currently has thirteen students enrolled and participating on a regular basis.

The goal of the middle school program is to help students’ transition from elementary to middle school. The program is unique and works with former participants of Franklin programs and other students recommended by the school. If you are interested in donating or volunteering to assist neighbors in the community, visit the FCC website at https://www.franklincommunitycenter.org/.

PHOTO BY FRANCINE D. GRINNELL The Franklin Community Center Emergency Food Pantry is located at 10 Franklin Street, in Saratoga Springs. It is one division of the multi-program non-profit human services agency called the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs, NY.

PHOTO BY FRANCINE D. GRINNELL Left to right: A volunteer and Franklin Community Center Food Program Administrator Julie Slovic receive a crate of fall apples that will be distributed to a Saratoga County resident in need.