Diane Valden is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Ancram Town Board has agreed to provide annual financial assistance to a local not-for-profit group of volunteers who help feed hungry people in the area. At the board's June 17 meeting, it approved a resolution to support the Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association’s weekly food delivery program by providing the group with $11,000 annually. The board also agreed to purchase a vehicle, at the cost of approximately $40,000, that can be used to pick up and deliver food. Supervisor Art Bassin said the town expects to fund this assistance through Ancram’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation of $160,000. The program may be funded initially with town money, but will likely be reimbursed by the federal funds when they become available. Association Co-chair Jack Lindsey said that up until now group volunteers have been borrowing a pick-up truck to make the trip to the Regional Food Bank in Albany, loading it with about 2,000 pounds of food and hauling it to the food pantry at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall for distribution. The food feeds about 90 people in 16 Ancram families per week. Any excess food is given to the food pantries in Pine Plains and Hillsdale. The vehicle that has been identified for purchase is a basic, no-frills Dodge panel van. Leasing or renting a vehicle was considered but found to be not as cost-effective, Lindsey said, adding, “The town is being very generous.” Read more in The Columbia Paper.