Food for the body. Food for the soul.
Our Mission Center feeds over 500 people every month.
What began as a simple coat drive, advertised on handmade signs, has blossomed into a weekly food pantry and clothing closet.
The Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center began in the winter of 2013 as a simple coat drive and distribution to help provide warm clothing to our neighbors in need. Advertising for the coat drive consisted of handmade signs on sawhorses placed in front of the church’s parish hall.
This experience confirmed what our needs assessments suggested: poverty exists within the rural geographical area served by our parish, and needs for food, clothing, connection, and services are increasing here as poverty moves from central urban settings into more suburban and rural regions. We responded immediately by putting out a call to our parishioners for donations and, with a few basic non-perishable food and personal care items, so began the Holy Trinity Food Pantry.
As word of our ministry reached further into the community and we began to network with other community-based organizations, support grew and has enabled us to address ever-expanding needs. In 2015, we became members of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and are now able to provide a greater variety of nutritious foods to our visitors.
Ascension Food Pantry
Ascension Food Pantry
1585 Route 9W
West Park NY 12493
First and Third Sundays
1pm-3pm
24/7 Emergency Food & Clothing Assistance
(845) 834-6014
Every Saturday, 10-12
The food pantry is housed in the Holy Trinity parish hall, while Teri’s Place, our clothing closet, is in the church itself. In addition to food and clothing, we offer hospitality to our neighbors in need. Many enjoy stopping by for company, conversation, and a cup of coffee. Since 2016, approximately 20 volunteers have been serving more than 160 households, feeding more than 500 people each month.
The AHT Mission Center expanded its ministry to serve our neighbors in the northern range of our parish when the Ascension Food Pantry opened in the summer of 2015. Located in the parish hall at 1585, Rte. 9W West Park, this initiative enables us to serve people who live along an under-served section of the Rte. 9W corridor, between Kingston and Highland, though our service area is not limited by this geographical region. Ascension has been serving more than 50 households, and new visitors come to the pantry regularly. Ascension food pantry doesn’t offer clothing and is not yet a member of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. These are goals for the future.
Both the Holy Trinity and the Ascension Food Pantries serve a diverse population, generally considered the “rural poor,” and the “working poor”. Ages range from newborns to age 80+ and include single parents, intact families of many configurations, and households of one. Several of our visitors are disabled and/or SSI eligible. The working poor who come to our food pantries, though employed, are unable to provide adequate food supplies for their families, but do not qualify for other assistance.
Both Mission Center food pantry locations provide 24/7 emergency assistance. We do not require proof of residence or income to received food, clothing, or other assistance. The AHT Mission Center food pantries are life- affirming ministries that serve a diverse group of people who just need to be fed, to be clothed, to be heard, be loved and belong.
Holy Trinity Mission Center & Food Pantry
Holy Trinity Food Pantry & Mission Center
21 Lower Grand Street
Highland, NY 12528
Every Saturday 10am to 12pm
24/7 Emergency Food & Clothing Assistance
(845) 834-6014
Yes, you can help!
We need volunteers to help with food distribution at one of our pantries; food pick-up and inventory; shift set-up; and transportation for neighbors who can’t get to pantries.
We also need donations of non-perishable food, personal care, clothing, and cleaning items.
You can also refer neighbors who may need food and/or clothing assistance; spread the word by sharing information with others; or make a monetary donation. Checks are payable to Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center and can be mailed to AHT Mission Center, Box 1512, Highland, NY 12528.
For further information: (845) 834-6014 or Maryelled@hvc.rr.com