Meeting people where they are is often the first step to helping to make a difference

Unity on the Move is a mobile food pantry, a van filled with food and other necessities, with staff who can assist people. The van is a way to connect with those who need services, but can’t always get to a Unity House location. The van is hosted at different spots, in Rensselaer and Albany county, each weekday.

Through the van, staff can offer access to a food pantry, intake and case management, and guest services. Unity House works toward greater food security for our community. To that end, we participate in the Food Pantries of the Greater Capital Region, Capital Roots, and our Regional Food Bank.

Providing a healthy food pantry is more critical than ever due to the impacts of COVID. There are currently 5 small pantries outside of Troy and the city of Rensselaer serving all of rural Rensselaer County. Many are staffed by volunteers and are not open every weekday. Historically, food insecurity affects over 10,000 people in Rensselaer County.

Staff working out of Unity on the Move are trained and equipped to assess needs and make connections to local services, including help at Unity House in applying for SNAP benefits, homelessness prevention assistance, childcare, and connection to domestic violence services or employment supports.