The Power of Community Fueling the Fight Against Rural Hunger: Comfort Food Community Legacy of Impact Celebration

Guests gathered at Saratoga National Golf Club

Comfort Food Community (CFC) hosted its annual celebration, A Legacy of Impact, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Saratoga National Golf Club, bringing together supporters, partners, volunteers, and community leaders for an evening to honor the people and partnerships that have shaped CFC’s mission over the past 12 years. The event raised over $20,000 to expand food access, strengthen Food Recovery and Community Health programs,

The centerpiece for the Legacy of Impact Event, highlighting food from the Food Center and the event sponsors

and advance CFCs continued work to fight rural hunger across Washington, Warren, Saratoga, and Rensselaer counties.

Throughout the evening, guests heard firsthand stories from CFC staff and volunteers whose daily work brings the organization’s mission to life. “Community is not only in our name; it’s at the heart of everything we do,” said Laura Marx, Executive Director of Comfort Food Community, during her speech. “It is what inspires volunteers to spend their mornings gleaning in the fields, sorting food, packing boxes, stocking shelves, or collecting donations. It is what motivates donors, partners, and supporters to invest their time, talents, and resources. It is what allows us to respond to the needs of our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and hope.”

Maryann McGeorge and Susan Sanderson, two Comfort Food Community's founders, present Cathy Shaw-Hebert and Mark Hebert with the 2026 Legacy of Impact Service Award

CFC also recognized Cathy Shaw-Hebert and Mark Hebert as the 2026 Legacy of Impact Service Award honorees. Involved with CFC since its inception in 2014, the Hebert’s have helped shape the organization as board members, volunteers, and longtime champions of its mission. Through their work with the Supplemental Student Nutrition Program, they have helped ensure that hundreds of Greenwich Central School students have access to nutritious food over the weekends.

The celebration brought together community members, local leaders, partner organizations, and volunteers for an evening of connection, storytelling, and support. Community members interested in seeing CFC’s mission in action are invited to attend a monthly behind-the-scenes tour of the Food & Farm Hub, the organization’s central location for food storage, aggregation, and distribution. The next tour will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at 101 Fiddler’s Elbow Road, Greenwich, NY 12834. Tours are free and open to the public.