NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS HOST 3RD ANNUAL ASSEMBLY CHARITY SOFTBALL GAME SUPPORTING THE FOOD PANTRIES FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT

The New York State Assembly hosted the 3rd Annual Assembly Charity Softball Game to benefit The Food Pantries for the Capital District. The annual event brings together members of the Legislature and the community to support local families facing food insecurity across the Capital Region. In the 3 years of holding this event, $35,000 has been raised for Food pantries for the Capitol District.

This year’s event helped raise $13,000, which supports 75 member pantries serving more than 114,000 individuals across Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties.

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown), alongside Minority Leader Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and the rest of “Ra’s Rough Riders,” led the conference to victory in extra innings, defeating “Carl’s Crushers” in a spirited matchup at the Hudson Valley Community College Softball Field.

“The Rough Riders prevailed because we followed the famous words of Nassau County’s own, President Theodore Roosevelt, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far.’ The Assembly Charity Softball game was another great evening for a great cause, the Food Pantries for the Capital District. Thank you to Speaker Heastie and his team, Hudson Valley Community College, and everyone else involved for making this event a big win. Bragging rights secured until next year!” said Ra.

“The incredible turnout and generosity shown speak volumes about the strength of our community and the commitment people have to helping their neighbors,” said Slater. “At a time when too many families are struggling with rising grocery costs and food insecurity, events like this make a real difference. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting The Food Pantries for the Capital District and the important work they do every single day.”

“Events like this show what can happen when communities come together to support families in need,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff to Assemblyman Brian Maher. “The charity softball game has become one of Assemblyman Maher’s favorite events each year, and while he was unable to participate this year, he was proud to support the effort from afar. Assemblyman Maher was also proud to join several of his colleagues in helping establish this event and is excited to see it continue growing into exactly what it was meant to be—an opportunity for members to give back to our home away from home six months out of the year and to show the people of New York that we can come together as human beings, put politics aside for a day and support a cause we all believe in. Helping raise critical funds for Capital District local pantries while bringing people together for a great cause is what this event is all about, and he is already looking forward to being back on the field next year.”

Natasha Pernicka, CEO of The Food Pantries for the Capital District, said: “It's really great to see both sides of the Assembly come together in support of the Capital District community, which is many of our assemblymembers' home away from home while in session. With the increase in food insecurity, locally and across the state,  showing up to help those facing hunger is more important now than ever. Together we can do more than any one of us alone!”

The event featured lawmakers from across New York coming together in support of local food pantries and hunger relief efforts throughout the Capital Region. Proceeds from the game will directly support food assistance programs and services for families in need.

Slater also thanked the sponsors, volunteers, organizers and community partners who helped make the event possible.

“No family should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” Slater said. “This event is a reminder of what we can accomplish when communities come together for a common cause.