Food Distribution
Since 2014, the Prabhuji Food Distribution Program has provided free, nutritious food every week to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Greene County and surrounding rural communities. What began as a small pantry has grown into a vital regional resource, now serving an average of over 1,500 individuals each month — and the need continues to rise.
Weekly Food Distribution
From early morning on distribution day, our monastic ministers — together with a dedicated group of local volunteers — sort, pack, and prepare individual grocery boxes filled with fresh, nutritious food. Each package is offered free of charge, with respect, warmth, and care.
Food is distributed through a thoughtfully designed drive-through model that ensures order, efficiency, safety, and the privacy of every community member. Each household receives a carefully assembled box intended to provide at least a three-day supply of food, including fresh produce, grains, protein, dairy, and essential pantry items.
Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
We are an official partner in New York State’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP). We follow the state’s 3-Day Package Guidelines, We follow the state’s 3-Day Package Guidelines, aligned with USDA MyPlate nutritional standards. While we fully comply with HPNAP requirements, we regularly exceed the required minimums across multiple food categories whenever supply allows. Our goal is not merely to provide calories, but to offer meaningful, balanced nourishment that supports the health and well-being of every household we serve.
WHAT SETS OUR PROGRAM APART
NUTRITION
Nutritious food supports physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. For this reason, we prioritize offering a variety of fresh, wholesome food each week — including fresh produce, dairy, protein, grains, and other essential pantry items. This ensures families receive balanced, nourishing food that promotes long-term health.
SECURITY
Food is one of life’s most basic necessities, and the uncertainty of not knowing where your next meal will come from can be deeply unsettling. That is why reliability is central to our mission.
Every week, rain or shine — in the heat of summer or the freezing cold of winter — our team is there. We operate year-round, including holidays, ensuring that families and individuals can depend on consistent support. Food insecurity brings uncertainty. Our commitment brings stability.
DIGNITY
By serving food, we honor the divine presence in every human being. We approach each person with warmth, attentiveness, and sincere respect. Our distributions are culturally respectful and multilingual, reflecting the diversity of those we serve. We make every effort to attend to special nutritional, religious, or spiritual dietary needs.
SAFETY
Community safety is central to our operations. Organized traffic flow, clear signage, and thorough food safety practices ensure that every household can access food securely and confidently.
COMMUNITY
At the heart of our program is our community. We serve individuals and families with care and respect, creating a space where everyone feels valued and supported. More than just providing food, our program fosters connection, trust, and a sense of belonging. Every week, neighbors come together, volunteers lend a helping hand, and together we strengthen the bonds that make our community resilient, compassionate, and united.
