06/16/2026
Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan & Rockland
Harvest Grant Impact Report
Thanks to the generous $1,500 Harvest Grant, Marc’s Friends Inc. was able to significantly expand food access and community support throughout our neighborhood.
Weekly Food Pantry
* Served an average of 29 families each week.
* Reached approximately 54 individuals weekly through our regular pantry services.
* Families received essential groceries and pantry staples to help offset rising food costs.
Large Community Food Distributions
The grant also allowed us to host three major food distribution initiatives, providing families with substantial amounts of groceries.
* Mullins Apartment Complex – Distribution #1
* Prepared and distributed food bags for 60 families.
* Mullins Apartment Complex – Distribution #2
* Prepared and distributed food bags for 75 families.
* 136 South Street Community Giveaway
* Hosted a large neighborhood distribution, providing approximately 50–60 pounds of food per household, ensuring families had enough groceries to last well beyond a single meal.
Across these three events, more than 110 families received large-scale grocery assistance.
Community Events
The Harvest Grant dollars were stretched to also purchase:
* Bread
* Drinks
* Healthy snacks
These items helped feed participants during our neighborhood outreach events, which averaged 100–120 attendees at each gathering. Providing refreshments created a welcoming environment that encouraged families to stay engaged, access resources, and building relationships.
Grant Impact by the Numbers
* $1,500 invested in community food security.
* 29 families served weekly through the pantry.
* 54 individuals reached each week.
* 110+ families served through three large-scale food giveaways.
* 50–60 pounds of groceries distributed per household during major distributions.
* 100–120 community members attended each outreach event where food and refreshments were provided.
* Approximately 1,890 direct service encounters were provided from November through June through weekly pantry services, large-scale food distributions, and community outreach events.
Closing Statement
At Marc’s Friends, we have always believed in people over paperwork. While numbers help tell the story, they can never fully capture the relationships built, the dignity restored, and the hope shared through every meal distributed. The Harvest Grant allowed us to deepen our impact, reaching approximately 1,890 individuals through direct service opportunities from November through June. Every dollar invested translated into meaningful support for families in need, proving that when a community comes together, even a modest grant can create a lasting impact.
