The community we serve

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

According to Feeding America, 12.1% of Greene County residents—about 5,750 people—were food insecure in 2023. Of these, 63% live below 200% of the SNAP threshold, meaning they are at the highest risk of hunger. The county faces an 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, further strain household budgets. For too many neighbors, the nearest grocery store is out of reach, and the available options are both limited and costly.

Prabhuji Food Distribution serves as a regional hub, extending nourishment well 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 rose. Even as the pandemic eased, need did not diminish. From 2023 to 2025, the average number of people served each month grew from 1,174 to 1,442, an increase of 23%. Even compared to 2024, demand has already risen by more than 6% in 2025, and the trend continues upward. We regularly hear from neighbors who are forced to choose between buying food or other necessities, seniors skipping meals to afford medication, and families stretching limited groceries to cover entire households.

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