The community we serve

Greene County and the surrounding rural areas of upstate New York face persistent challenges related to poverty, limited services, and food insecurity. Many rural residents live miles from grocery stores or food pantries without reliable transportation, leaving low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and immigrant households struggling to access consistent, nutritious food.

According to Feeding America, 12.1% of Greene County residents — approximately 5,750 people — experienced food insecurity in 2023. Of those individuals, 63% lived at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, placing them at heightened risk of hunger. The county faces an estimated annual food budget shortfall of more than $4 million, leaving families, children, and seniors without sufficient resources to meet their nutritional needs.

Rising food and fuel costs, coupled with limited local employment opportunities, continue to strain household budgets. For many of our neighbors, the nearest grocery store remains out of reach, and available options are both limited and costly.

Prabhuji Food Distribution serves as a regional hub, extending nourishment beyond Greene County into rural communities across upstate New York. We welcome all in need, regardless of residency, and our reach spans dozens of towns across multiple counties. This broad access ensures that families in isolated areas with few resources can rely on our pantry for consistent, nutritious food.

The inequities became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for our pantry surged. Even as the pandemic eased, need did not diminish. From 2023 to 2025, the average number of individuals served each month increased from 1,173 to 1,520 — a growth of nearly 30% in just two years. Compared to 2024 alone, demand rose by more than 11% in 2025, reflecting the continued financial strain facing families across our region.

We regularly hear from neighbors forced to choose between buying food and paying for other necessities, seniors skipping meals to afford medication, and families stretching limited groceries to feed entire households.

The barriers to food access in our region are not only economic but also logistical. Families living in dispersed towns often lack public transportation, and seniors or individuals with disabilities may be unable to travel long distances or carry heavy food boxes. These structural obstacles leave the most vulnerable at the greatest risk.