[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anita Paley brings 25+ years of nonprofit experience to NY’s network of food banks

ALBANY (September 29, 2016) – Feeding New York State (FNYS) has announced the hiring of its new executive director.

Anita Paley, most recently the executive director at the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, assumed her new role with FNYS on Sept. 26. Prior to her work at the Council, an anti-poverty organization based in Ballston Spa, Paley held positions at SUNY Empire State College and Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County.

“We’re so thrilled that Anita is joining our Association and bringing her passion for helping others to our network of food banks,” said Natasha Thompson, President & CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in Elmira and Chair of the Association Board. “Her extensive experience aligns with our mission to ensure that every person in every community throughout New York State has access to good, healthy food.”

The FNYS, which is based in Albany, helps feed millions of New Yorkers each year through a network of more than 5,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other non-profit programs. The Association helps its direct members—eight NYS food banks and food rescue organizations—secure donations and volunteer support, leads advocacy efforts, and creates strategic partnerships to alleviate hunger throughout the state.

Paley has 25 years of nonprofit experience in the field of human services and helping individuals overcome economic, social and behavioral health challenges. She has fulfilled many roles throughout her career, such as direct care worker, educator, volunteer, board member and senior administrator. As executive director at the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, her responsibilities included the management of day-to-day operations, ensuring the agency’s fiscal soundness, and overseeing the development of new programs, grants and fundraising opportunities.

“Food is an essential part of life; it provides sustenance to us on so many levels and unites us as human beings,” Paley said.  “Not having reliable access to it causes stress not only to individuals but, communities. Feeding NNYS members and their teams are unified in their efforts to ensure food is available to those in need. It is an honor to serve with them and our partners to feed New York State.”

Paley holds an associate’s degree in horticulture, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and biology and a master’s degree in business and policy. Outside of the office, Paley has long loved the outdoors and has climbed several of the Adirondack High Peaks. She also enjoys gardening, yoga, writing, and spending time with her family and working with the community. She’s been a long-time board member for New Choices Recovery Center, a substance-abuse agency in Schenectady.

Feeding NYS covers every county in New York State. The member food banks include: Food Bank of Western New York (Buffalo), Foodlink (Rochester), Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira), Food Bank of Central New York (Syracuse), Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (Latham), Food Bank for Westchester (Elmsford), Island Harvest (Mineola) and City Harvest (New York City).

For more information about Feeding NYS, visit www.fbanys.wpengine.com.

About Feeding New York State

Feeding New York State mission is to ensure that every person in every community has access to good, healthy, food. We help the food banks of New York State obtain more food. We encourage donations and volunteer support. We foster awareness of the mission of food banks. And we create partnerships to help alleviate hunger. FNYS’s network of food banks feeds millions of New Yorkers each year with the help of more than 5,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other non-profit feeding programs.

Press Contact

CEO, Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Chair, Feeding New York State
607.796.6061 x4019
nrthompson@feedingamerica.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]