Written by Kat Meadows, April 2025 Theresa Fulton is a deeply engaged community member who works to support people facing housing insecurity, food access challenges, and broader systemic neglect. Through both formal and informal efforts, she provides essential resources to individuals living in difficult conditions—including those in encampments and temporary shelters. Much of her work […]
By Elena Flash, November 2024 Riding along with volunteer Vicki John on Wednesday afternoons provides a taste of the full circle impact of Friendship Donations Network (FDN). Vicki, a lifelong Ithacan, became an FDN volunteer about 9 years ago. Around then, the Statler’s head chef, Kris Escalante, was beginning to connect with FDN based on […]
Groton library’s Healthy Tuesday provides FDN’s donated food and books to its patrons By Brigid Higgins, July 2022 Every Tuesday at noon, the back room of the Groton Public Library becomes, in the words of one of its volunteers, “a little grocery store.” Food donated through Friendship Donations Network, local farms, and other organizations is […]
By Brigid Higgins, April 2022 When people cannot afford essentials like hygiene products or food, they are more likely to steal these necessities out of desperation. Rather than incarcerating individuals who commit these misdemeanors, police officers can divert the charge and direct community members toward resources, support, and trauma-informed care by referring them to the […]
An interview with Laurie Snyder. Written by Brigid Higgins, March 2022 The Varna Community Center provides a variety of programs and services for residents within the hamlet of Varna in Dryden, N.Y., including after-school care for local students. Laurie Snyder, the chairperson of the Varna Community Association Board of Directors, mentors the after-school program and […]
