THE FIRST CHURCH IN ALBANY
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first  church   is  a  covenant  church   with   focus   churches   of   albany.   
Over   40,000   people   each   month   rely  on   food   pantries   in   the   Capital   Region.    
Families  may  visit  the  FOCUS  Interfaith  Food  Pantry or   the  First  Church  of  Albany  Food  Pantry  twice  each  month.   In  addition to  a  balanced  and  nutritious  food package,  both  pantries  provide  personal  care  items,  fresh  fruit,  vegetables,  and  milk  vouchers.   we also   help households  by  supplying  information  about  additional  community  resources  such  as job training,  housing, healthcare,  food stamps,  WIC  and  nutrition  education.   Guests  are  also  provided  with  pastoral,  advocacy  and referral  services.
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The First Church Food Pantry

Food Pantry Hours
Monday and Wednesday
9:00 -11:30 a.m.
Call Church Office for Inquiries
518- 463-4449

The First Church Food Pantry is a continuation of the centuries-old custom of taking care of widows, orphans and the homeless through the Deacons Fund since the reformation in the 1500’s.  It serves people in the neighborhood and is managed by a Community Outreach Worker with the help of volunteers.  Last year, the food pantry served 361 households.

Monthly supplies of food and other grocery store essentials, such as diapers and toothpaste, are distributed. Other programs, such as “Back-to-School-Night”, “Mitten Tree”, “Christmas Shoppe” and “Thanksgiving Basket” minister to children and families around the holidays and other special times of the year.


Families may visit the pantry twice each month. In addition to a balanced and nutritious food package, the pantry provides personal care items, fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk vouchers. The First Church Food Pantry also helps households by supplying information about additional community resources such as job training, housing, healthcare, food stamps, WIC and nutrition education. Guests are also provided with advocacy and referral services.

Who is eligible to receive food?
Our primary service area for the pantry includes the  neighborhoods of Albany closest to the First Church for guests meeting the (confidential) eligibility requirements.

What type of paperwork do I need to bring?
  • The food pantry obtains information from guests upon intake.
  • You must live in the area that the First Church Food Pantry serves. Guests are required to share information regarding income sources, employment and government benefits.
  • Photo ID for all adults in each household plus a proof of residence- this could a bill from a utility company or a lease.
  • For children: Birth certificates, insurance cards or official document from the child’s school or document from DSS.


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Helping Our Neighbors Celebrate Thanksgiving
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Each  thanksgiving season we  providing the food for a Thanksgiving meal for many of the families served by our food pantry. The  Sunday, before Thanksgiving  many of us will stay for a few minutes after worship to help pack the food baskets that will be distributed to families in our area. Also on that Sunday you are invited to come to worship with gifts of food items.  This year instead of providing a thanksgiving turkey to each family, we are providing gift cards enabling them to purchase their own. 





​The Neighborhood Counseling Center
 at First Church in Albany
Adult residents in the First Church neighborhood  are offered free pastoral counseling with retired pastoral counselor, Ross Westhuis. Hours are Wednesdays 9 am-Noon. Stop in or call for an appointment: 518-463-4449.

© 2020 The First Church in Albany.
110 North Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207
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The First Church in Albany.  Rooted in Jesus Christ and committed to the city and the people of Albany, New York.  Come worship with us.