United Way Expands Summer Meals and Enrichment Opportunities Across the Greater Capital Region
ALBANY, NY (June 23, 2026) — United Way of the Greater Capital Region announced a $133,000 investment for Summer Meals Collaborative to ensure more children and families across the Greater Capital Region have access to free meals, educational enrichment activities, and safe spaces throughout the summer.
The investment supports more than 30 collaborative members as they work to expand access to summer meals, add staff, increase capacity, provide additional snacks and engaging activities that make Summer Meal sites welcoming destinations for children and families. This investment will supplement federal USDA funding for summer meals and help communities reach more children who might otherwise face barriers to food security.
Now in its 14th year, the Summer Meals Collaborative brings together more than 30 organizations committed to reducing childhood hunger and advancing nutrition security throughout the region. United Way and its partners believe that by working together, Summer Meals Collaborative creates more opportunities for children to learn, play, and connect. This year, the Summer Meals Collaborative will support more than 80 sites across the Greater Capital Region in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Columbia, Greene and Schoharie counties.
In 2025, more than 212,000 meals were served across the region. The Summer Meals Collaborative's work is particularly important as many families continue to face rising costs for food, housing, transportation, and other essentials. This funding aims to close the affordability gap for families while ensuring children have consistent access to nutritious meals and positive summer experiences.
Peter Gannon, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region said, "Summer can be one of the hungriest times of the year for children who rely on school meals. By working together, we can accomplish far more than any one organization could achieve alone. Summer Meals provides more than a meal; it offers children opportunities for educational enrichment and supportive community spaces while school is out. This investment in our community and our children strengthens nutrition and helps local families close the affordability gap as more families struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table."
Aldo R. Juárez-Romero, Executive Director & CEO, Sycamore Collaborative said, “The Summer Meals Collaborative is more than meals; it's a child who feels seen, in a neighborhood that shows up for them. No single organization makes that happen. Meals get served because someone first built the relationships behind them, and that's exactly what this collaborative does."
Michael-Aaron Poindexter, Chief Program Officer, Regional Food Bank said, "Every child deserves access to nutritious food, especially during the summer months when school is out. Through our Home Delivery and Backpack Programs, we are able to reach children in rural communities where traditional meal sites may not be available, helping ensure families have the support they need."
Jessica Valcik, Housing and Crisis Services Director, CAPTAIN Community Human Services said, “Free Summer Meals aren’t just about food. This is about the health of our kids and their ability to learn, to grow, to build a bright future. Access to nutritious food has long-term impacts on things far beyond mealtime, including increased high school graduation rates and reduction in the likelihood of chronic disease.”
Briana Sullivan, Deputy Director, The Children’s Museum at Saratoga said, "The heart of this project is meeting children where they are. In providing free meals and activities, children receive the foundational tools they need to succeed." Briana Sullivan, Deputy Director, CMAS. "The Summer Meals Collaborative recognizes that supporting children means caring for both their bodies and their minds, and we're honored to be part of that effort."
Dr. Sonya Hauser, Associate Professor, Nutrition Science Department, Russell Sage College said,“As a researcher, one of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been witnessing the power of the collective impact model to bring together organizations with diverse strengths, perspectives, and resources around a common goal. We identified a problem, put our differences aside, brought our individual strengths and skills to the table, and pushed through obstacles together. The result has been overwhelming success that none of our organizations could have achieved on their own.”
Summer Meals Ambassadors
This year, United Way of the Greater Capital Region has recruited Summer Meals Ambassadors to help spread awareness about the program and connect families to resources and meal sites. Ambassadors include local influencers, gym owners, college athletes, and leaders from the community impact center. Together, they help amplify the message of Summer Meals and engage families in the Capital Region to visit a Summer Meals site near them.
Kristen Suraci, the creative force behind Saucy Suraci shared, "What I've learned is that many people who could benefit from programs like Summer Meals simply don't know they exist. If I can use my platform to help spread the word and connect even one family with this resource, then that's something I am incredibly proud to do."