Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Opens Helpful Harvest Grant Round to Address Food Insecurity

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties invites human service organizations whose primary operation is a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter that provides pantry items or meals to residents to apply for its Helpful Harvest Grant Round.

Helpful Harvest grant applications will be accepted September 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. at foundationhoc.org/grants.

The Helpful Harvest Grant Round is powered by the Community Foundation’s Helpful Harvest Fund, established in 2022 to combat the clear rise in resident needs surrounding food insecurity, particularly during the fall and winter months. Since inception, more than $393,000 has been awarded from the fund, which includes grants directly from donor funds at the Community Foundation.

All eligible applicants to the Helpful Harvest Grant Round will also be featured in the Helpful Harvest Giving Guide, an online catalog that allows donors to explore and support the needs of local organizations and provides an additional opportunity for nonprofits to receive support during this critical time of year. Any funding received through the Helpful Harvest Giving Guide would be in addition to funding that may be awarded through the grant round.

“Food insecurity continues to affect individuals and families across Herkimer and Oneida counties, and the organizations responding to this need are seeing a growing demand for their services,” said Olivia Paul, director of community engagement at the Community Foundation. “Through the Helpful Harvest Grant Round and Giving Guide, we can support the organizations responding to this need and provide more ways for the community to support their efforts.”

Community support of the Helpful Harvest Fund makes grant rounds like this one possible. Donations provide critical resources to local organizations working to ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food during times of greatest need. To learn more about the fund and make a gift, visit foundationhoc.org/helpfulharvestfund.