Paper Goods Christmas Trees Make for a Festive Donation

Toilet paper, shampoo, and Kleenex probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when thinking about holiday food pantry baskets, but these important staples are in high demand this time of year. The items are needed as Capital Region residents who receive Food Stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs) are not permitted to use those benefits to purchase personal hygiene products, which include deodorant, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, razors and even toilet paper. Thanks to our incredible community partners, First New York Federal Credit Union and St. Thomas the Apostle School, we can further meet the need for personal care items in our area.

In Albany, First New York Federal Credit Union began collecting personal care items around Thanksgiving at branch offices and the corporate office, and on Wednesday December 12^th presented the items to Catholic Charities Tri-County Services. They built “trees” and holiday scenes out of paper goods in the main lobby of the corporate offices, including a two-story paper towel roll tree. These trees were toppled and the items distributed to Catholic Charities food pantries.

Just a few miles away, students at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar have spent the past month collecting toilet paper, fashioning a massive Christmas Tree of toilet paper and paper towels. The rolls - totaling over 1,400 - will provide for clients in our housing locations.

Together, First New York and St. Thomas donated over 6,600 rolls to Catholic Charities. Their donation makes a huge impact, not just for the holidays, but in the year to come.