The Food Pantry at Franciscan Collaborative Ministries is the largest of it's kind in Central New York. It has grown over the past decade from a modest neighborhood resource in the Assumption Church Rectory to a full-fledged stand-alone meal distribution program.

Now Located on the ground floor of the Assumption Parish Center, the Food Pantry is sustained by a group of 50 volunteers, working in 5 on-site teams, as well as contributions from the Syracuse University Alibrandi Center and local parishes, including St. Vincent's, Trinity Baptist, and St. Margaret's. The scope of the Food Pantry is not the only thing that sets it apart from many other comparable services; volunteers add an element of spirituality to their charitable work each day through quiet, spiritual reflection.

Though the food pantry is supported in part by federal grants, the majority of funding comes from private donations. Food stock comes primarily from the Food Bank of Central New York.

The Food Pantry's Daily Sandwich Program is unique. It offers a free bag lunch to anyone who comes to the door; no questions asked. Clients do not have to register, and do not have to reside in a specific geographic area. The goal of the program is to quell hunger in the most immediate and effective way possible, and relies solely on private donations and volunteer service. As a result of its accessibility, the Daily Sandwich Program hands out an epic number of sandwiches -- between 7,500 and 12,000 per month.

Monday - Friday
11:00AM - 1:00PM
4:00PM - 5:00PM

Saturday - Sunday
11:00AM - 1:00PM

This more traditional program is funded by three separate federal grants, and provides 250-300 families with food each month to prevent hunger, and serves many additional families who may be in crisis. The Food Pantry accomodates a prescribed geographic area as designated by the inter-religious food consortium. Parcels are distributed in quantities based on number of dependents. Clients must meet certain critera in order to be eligible for the program, and register in advance.

Monday - Friday 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM