Several boxes of food were being unloaded and set up inside Mohawk Ambulance Service in Schenectady on Thursday.

Containers of hot meals are placed on a table, ready for anyone in need.

“This definitely allows us to get to be right here with the food pick up right in the community,” said Dominick Purnomo, founder and president of Feed Albany.

This is the non-profit’s new initiative — expanding its footprint into Schenectady by partnering with SUNY Schenectady and the city police department.

“Typically, we have eight to 10 deliveries a week,” said Lt. Michael Dalton, an officer of the Schenectady Police Department. “Sometimes, that number fluctuates up.”

Purnomo and his team at Feed Albany have come a long way since they first began a year ago.


What You Need To Know

  • The organization started as a way to help unemployed restaurant workers at the start of the pandemic, but soon expanded to serve anyone in need of food

  • In 53 weeks of operations, Feed Albany has served more than 500,000 meals

  • Feed Albany is establishing a footprint in Schenectady by partnering with SUNY Schenectady and the Schenectady Police Department

The organization started as a way to help unemployed restaurant workers at the start of the pandemic, but soon expanded to serve anyone in need of food. Fifty-three weeks later, more than 500,000 meals have been served.

“It does, really, take a village for us to be able to continue to do this day in, day out,” Purnomo said.

He’s grateful for the community donating time, money, and supplies to allow them to keep operations going. But more importantly, they’re still doing this because there’s a need. The pandemic has highlighted food-insecurity in the region.

“It’s helping to close food deserts, it’s helping to make sure that everyone has a dignity in prepared food,” said Matthew Peter, a board member of Feed Albany.

Moving forward, Feed Albany is seeking a permanent home for their efforts. Purnomo says they’re close to signing a lease. Until then, free meals will continue to be provided Wednesday evenings in Albany and Thursday afternoons here in Schenectady.