Release Immediately: Saturday, February 20, 2021

What: The JPC Drive-Thru Food Giveaway
When:  Monday, February 22, 2021, from 2 pm to 7:30 pm.  (Snow or Shine) 

What: Walkers JPC Food Giveaway

When: Tuesday, February 23, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm. (Snow or Shine)  

Where: Johnson Park Center – 1400 West Street (Block), NY 13501


Contact: JPC Office from 1 pm to 5 pm (315) 734-9608

Email at revmeier@johnsonparkcenter.org

Utica, NY. Many people are still being challenged because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. It is causing long-term problems, as many in our community do not have money or resources to meet their basic needs. Many faces having to choose between paying rent, the National Grid bill, or putting food on the table. Due to lack of funding, JPC had to make cuts. We reduced having two to one drive-thru per month. We are so thankful to Capraro Technologies, Inc. (CTI), having a matching fundraiser campaign with All In For Vin Memorial Fund, Scalzo, Zogby, and Wittig Insurance Fund, Mandour Fund, Four Anonymous Donor Funds all are Donor-Advised Funds at the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties;” JetNet, LLC; Dugan Donor-Advised fund of the Charles Schwab; and various individual donors financial gifts are sponsors for the 2nd Drive-Thru in February. Along the support from the Food Bank of Central New York (FBCNY) and generous food donations from the Compassion Coalition, JPC will have a Drive-Thru Food Giveaway for disadvantaged individuals and families around JPC Sites on Monday, February 22, 2021, from 2 pm to 7:30 pm Snow or Shine (Exception: No Food Truck Delivery or Mandatory Road Closings due to Inclement Weather.)

Starting on the corner of Arthur and West Streets, cars/vehicles will line up at the registration station where JPC Intake Persons, wearing face masks, will assist you with completing the Intake Form. They will place the number of households represented in each car on its windshield. Then you will drive up to each Food station, where volunteers will put the food in your car/vehicle. 

If you do not have a car/vehicle, please come to the Walkers Food Giveaway Snow or Shine on Tuesday, February 23, 2021between 3 pm to 6 pm. (Exception: No Food Truck Delivery or Mandatory Road Closings due to Inclement Weather) at JPC Food Pantry 1404 West Street, Utica, New York 13501  

A tractor-trailer full of food will be available to be given to the community. Food items may include chicken, pork patties, eggs, cheese, fresh produce, fresh fruit, elbow macaroni, canned items such as soup, beans, etc. 

During these challenging times of the pandemic, by fighting hunger and food insecurity, the JPC Food Giveaway helps families & individuals to have food on their tables, be food secured, and a stepping stone to self-sufficiency.

Please join us as we need additional sponsors, donors, volunteers, and media to make long-term commitments to fight hunger and food insecurity. To all who are currently making investments and partnering with JPC, you are amazing. JPC is so grateful and appreciative of your dedication to serving families, children, and single individuals in need. Thank you to the Food Bank of Central New York (FBCNY), the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties; the United Way of the Mohawk Valley; “Utica National Foundation Group, M&T Bank/Partners Charitable Fund, Mele Family Fund, Capraro Technologies, Inc. (CTI),  All In For Vin Memorial Fund, Scalzo, Zogby, and Wittig Insurance Fund, Mandour Fund, Four Anonymous Donor Funds, all are Donor-Advised Funds at the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties;” the Bank of Utica, the UFCW Charity Golf Classic, Inc.; The NBT Bank; Hartford Fire Insurance of the Benevity Impact Fund; JetNet, LLC; Dugan Donor-Advised fund of the Charles Schwab; MVP Health; the Zonta Club; Apex Document Solutions, Inc.; the Oneida County Traffic Diversion Program, the First Baptist Church, St James AME Church, Unitarian Universalist Church; e Compassion Coalition, CASA Imports, Candella’s Farm & Greenhouses, and the Mohawk Street Hannaford. We received monetary and food donations from various donors, businesses, organizations, and individual supporters, the Volunteers, the American Red Cross, the Junior Frontiers, JPC/JPA Staff & Shelter Program Participants, and Media Coverage from WKTV, WUTR, Spectrum News, the Observer-Dispatch, the Utica Phoenix, 96.1 The Eagle and American town Utica.

Thank you so much for your continual support and Join Positive Change at Johnson Park Center (JPC).