Troy Area United Ministries

10/20/2026

Hi, friends of TAUM, meet Ari, one of our volunteers who also accesses food via our feeding programs. I (Abby Norton-Levering) asked his permission to share some photos of the beautiful food he prepares. Included here are some steak tips and avocados he sourced from our Free Food Fridge, some tomatoes he sourced from our TAUM garden, and cilantro and cucumbers he received thanks to a Solidarity Share we receive from Soul Fire Farm.

Not all of our guests have the space and capacity to cook like this, so it's important that our feeding programs also provide ready-to-eat foods. But for people like Ari (and there are many), the fresh, whole foods we offer make a HUGE difference in their lives. When you support TAUM, and all the Free Food Fridges in the Capital Region, you directly support the improved health of many individuals and families.

10/01/2026

We're partnering with the Regional Food Bank and distributing a "big drop" of groceries to our neighbors on Saturday Oct. 17. We need volunteers to help unload the truck and pack the food into bags. Can you give us an hour or two that morning? Details in the flier.

08/20/2026

Hi, friends of TAUM. It appears our admin Lynn Malatesta had her email hacked. If you receive an invitation to a party from Lynn, don't open it and definitely don't click on any links in it!

08/06/2026

Our new raised beds are filled with soil, thanks to our strong hardworking teens! After it settles a bit we're going to plant fall crops in them. What are your favorites? Kale, cucumbers, garlic?

08/05/2026

A tour of the outside of our building!

You're invited, as always, to "Take What You Need, Share What You Have" using the Free Food Fridge outside our building, and the other FFFs in the capital region. (Single serve meals, grab-and-go lunches, fruit, proteins, beverages...all that is especially appreciated)

Ps. Nearly all the produce grown in our garden goes straight into the Free Food Fridge, for our neighbors. We also receive produce from other neighborhood gardeners, from the partnership Free Food Fridge Albany has with Fox Creek Farm, and from our solidarity share from Soul Fire Farm.

First Reformed Church of Schenectady Common Roots Foundation Capital Roots

07/28/2026

A great group of volunteers gathered to sort and collect mattresses donated to TAUM's furniture program last week. It was hot, sweaty, hard work, but it ensured that many families will have proper beds to sleep on. Thanks to everybody who showed up and lent their muscles, determination, and good spirits to this effort!

07/21/2026

Today, when I (Abby Norton-Levering) arrived at TAUM, the Free Food Fridge was nearly empty. Providentially, a gentleman from the Polish American Club of Troy arrived with a delicious-looking tray of shrimp pasta salad. He even brought a few bottles of soda (a real treat!) I packed it up into individual containers and I'm sure they'll all fly out of the fridge within the next hour.

Note about putting individually-packaged food or meals in the fridge: please date and label each one, and secure the container (staples, tape, rubber bands). Bonus points if you can include eating utensils.

We are looking for folks/groups to fill the fridge with "Grab and Go" meals. Want to sign up? See this sign-up genius for more details. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DAFAA2EA0FECE9-64549506-grab #/

07/14/2026

PLEASE SHARE. We need a big group of strong volunteers to gather next week, Monday July 20, at 6 PM, to help us sort and stash a big donation of mattresses to TAUM's Furniture Program! Sign up to help at https://forms.gle/BWSMYFMgri5MybR97.

07/12/2026

TAUM was so delighted to be a recipient of a Common Roots Foundation grant this year. The funds we received have already been put to use in our ongoing garden expansion--stop by and see it! Our new apple trees were planted just Friday by our friends from Common Roots. Next expansion item: raised beds for fall crops.

Troy Area United Ministries is a nonprofit in Troy serving more than 2,000 people annually through programs that address hunger, poverty, community relations, and the spiritual and social well-being of residents hundreds of volunteers. Foundation grant funds will support the TAUM Garden Expansion Project, growing the organization’s capacity to provide fresh, locally grown food to neighbors in need throughout Rensselaer County.

To learn more about the Common Roots Foundation and our Grant Application process, see the link in bio. And stay tuned to find out about our other grant awardees!