The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 8 has announced the distribution of $77,000 in state grants to three local food relief organizations. The funding comes from DEC’s Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grant program, which was launched as part of a $5 million statewide initiative to support food pantries, soup kitchens, and similar programs.
The House of Mercy in Rochester received $50,607 for a cargo van and insulated containers to improve its ability to distribute food at its emergency shelter. Irondequoit Community Cupboard was awarded $22,960 for a back-up generator that will keep refrigeration equipment running during power outages. Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry received $3,860 for a commercial refrigerator and freezer to increase the amount of perishable food it can accept.
“These organizations have been proudly serving those in need every day for decades. Grants like this help keep their doors open and expand services while also contributing to DEC’s environmental and climate goals of reducing waste. New York is proud to make investments in community-based food relief organizations that are trying to keep up with the demand and fight hunger,” said DEC Region 8 Director Timothy P. Walsh.
House of Mercy Director of Development Whitney Snead commented, “The DEC-funded cargo van has transformed the way House of Mercy moves fresh food and essential supplies quickly and safely, ensuring our guests receive consistent, high-quality meals. This support directly enhances our mission and helps us care for hundreds of people who rely on House of Mercy.”
Debbie Evans, Executive Director and founder of Irondequoit Community Cupboard said, “THIS is what ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ is all about. Most of our families have faced food insecurity many times this year. Many of them work several jobs and are still not able to make ends meet. The generator will keep our refrigeration equipment operating so we can continue to serve the town of Irondequoit.”
Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry Manager Deb MacLean added, “We are very appreciative to New York State and the Department of Environmental Conservation for this cold storage grant. The additional cold storage will help us meet the rising demand for our services in the coming year.”
Across New York State, 97 Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grants ranging from $1,200 to $100,000 have been distributed. These funds enable organizations to purchase generators as well as equipment needed for cooling or transporting donated food.
The grant program is managed by DEC as part of efforts aimed at reducing wasted food, lowering greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, feeding residents facing hunger across New York State, and engaging with communities statewide.
A complete list of recipients can be found on DEC’s website.
This initiative is one element within Governor Kathy Hochul’s broader commitment exceeding $11 million toward emergency food relief programs throughout New York State. In addition to these grants supporting equipment purchases at local pantries and soup kitchens, another $6 million supports operations at regional food banks through Feeding New York State.
DEC also oversees enforcement of New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law designed to cut down on landfill waste while decreasing climate-altering emissions caused by discarded edible items. During Climate Week and Hunger Action Month in September 2025, Governor Hochul highlighted that over 63 million pounds of surplus food were collected from large businesses across the state—a record milestone attributed in part to increased funding from DEC.
Each year DEC works with partners such as Feeding New York State’s regional banks and the Venison Donation Coalition—alongside deer processors—to channel nearly 40 tons of venison annually into hunger relief networks; more than $21,000 was issued by DEC in hunter-donated funds during 2024 alone.
These efforts complement other state initiatives addressing affordability issues around nutrition access—including universal free school lunches—and various grant programs supporting farm-to-school connections, urban agriculture projects, farmers’ markets participation incentives for low-income families.
Photos related to these announcements are available on DEC’s Flickr page.