MONTICELLO, NY — As the annual harvest season approaches, Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay (D-Rock Hill) is celebrating the community organizations that work to provide families across Sullivan and Orange Counties with access to healthy, nutritious food. Through advocacy and direct support, Kay has made food accessibility one of her top legislative priorities.

“As a mom and a legislator, I know how important it is for families to have access to fresh, healthy meals,” said Kay. “No one in our community should go hungry. These grants will strengthen the organizations that are on the front lines making sure our neighbors are cared for.”

Recent funding from Kay’s office includes:

• $30,000 to the Guild of St. Margaret (Grace Episcopal Church) to sustain essential soup kitchen and pantry programs, including supplies for daily operations and meal distribution.
• $50,000 to Sullivan Catskills Regional Food Hub, Inc. (A Single Bite) to expand weekly meal service to 900 food-insecure residents in Sullivan County.
• $63,886 to Sullivan180 for programs, including initiatives to promote healthy eating in local schools.

Kay noted that she has also advocated for the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless, which has requested $100,000 to replace furnaces, install windows, refurbish sewer lines, and improve their main entrance. These investments will help the organization continue serving vulnerable families.

“Every time a family is fed by programs like A Single Bite, the Guild of St. Margaret, Sullivan180, and the Federation for the Homeless, we nourish the growth of a healthier future for our community,” Kay said. “I am proud to fight alongside them to ensure that everyone has the dignity of access to good food.”