At Palisades Towers, Almida looks forward to food distributions for a simple reason: they help make everyday life a little easier.
She smiles when she talks about the fresh food, especially the vegetables. Some days, there is even someone preparing fresh salads on site. For Almida, those details matter. They bring both nourishment and a sense of care to her community.
“The pantry helps families a lot,” she said. “It is such a big help, with the economy the way it is. Right now, food is very expensive.”
Like many neighbors, Almida is feeling the pressure of rising costs and reduced income. In the winter, work often slows for people whose jobs are outdoors. More recently, she said, lost workdays and higher prices have made it even harder for paychecks to cover basic needs at home.
That is why having food brought directly to Palisades Towers means so much.
“It helps us a lot,” Almida said. “For the families, almost the majority of us who come here, we are grateful that they have Feeding Westchester here to help all the families.”
Almida keeps a close eye on distribution schedules and does what she can to find support where it is available, whether in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, or close to home. She spoke with deep appreciation for the consistency of the help and for the difference it makes for her household when work is limited and expenses continue to rise.
What stands out most to her is the freshness of the food and the kindness of the volunteers.
“The vegetables they bring are fresh,” she said. “And also the volunteers are very kind, very kind.”
Her story is a reminder that hunger in Westchester is not always visible, but it is real for working families across our communities. And when food is available where neighbors already live, it can make access easier, more welcoming, and more reliable.
“I am grateful for Feeding Westchester,” Almida said.
For Almida and her neighbors at Palisades Towers, this support is more than a distribution. It is a source of relief, fresh food, and reassurance during a time when every bit of help matters.
