Last week, Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) secured funding for a pop-up food drive in collaboration with Ellenville Mayor Evan Trent, the Regional Food Bank Hudson Valley, the Ellenville Public Library, the Ellenville Food Pantry and other local partners to help connect families with fresh food and essential resources.

Team Maher was proud to attend the food distribution event at the Ellenville Public Library, which served 200+ families by collecting more than 5,000 pounds of groceries, in partnership with the Regional Food Bank, the Ramapo Catskill Library System and local community organizations.

“No family should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff. “Assemblyman Maher was proud to help secure funding for this initiative because families across our region are feeling the pressure of rising grocery and utility costs every single day. This event was about bringing local partners together to deliver real support directly to the people who need it most.”

Mayor Trent said: “I must convey that the assemblyman and his staff were the drivers for this pop-up in Ellenville. They reached out a few months ago, relaying that they had funding to support food distribution in a couple of communities. Assemblyman Maher, having been a frequent visitor to Ellenville, understood we have a high need here and wanted to connect local partners to make it happen. The Village’s role was to help connect those partners together, specifically the Ellenville Public Library with the Regional Food Bank. In a time of ever-increasing food and utility costs, more families are experiencing pressure to afford day-to-day necessities. An event like this serves as a relief for many, and I really appreciate the assemblyman’s team, the Regional Food Bank and Ellenville Public Library rallying to make this happen in Ellenville.”

Barry Lewis, senior public affairs officer for the Regional Food Bank, said: “No person in Ellenville should ever have to wonder where their next meal will come from. Accessible food distribution is not just a service but a promise to protect the health of every neighbor. Thanks to Assemblyman Brian Maher, his team and the Ellenville Public Library, we are able to provide hope to those in need.”

Assemblyman Maher remains committed to supporting community partnerships that address food insecurity and connect Hudson Valley families with critical resources. Maher extends his gratitude to the Regional Food Bank Hudson Valley, the Ellenville Public Library, the Ellenville Food Pantry, Government Relations Specialist, Jen Park of RCLS, Mayor Evan Trent and all of the volunteers and local organizations who helped make the event possible.