Albany Local Assistance Programs

This page lists local organizations in Albany, New York that provide free legal help, food and social services. Albany is the capital of New York State. Statewide programs are described on the New York page.

Legal aid

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York provides free civil legal services to low-income people across 16 counties in Northeastern New York. Its Albany office sits at the Center for Civil Legal Services on Central Avenue. Call the number above for help.¹

Empire Justice Center is a statewide nonprofit civil legal aid provider focused on low-income and marginalized New Yorkers. It provides legal assistance from its offices in Rochester, Albany, Yonkers, White Plains, Central Islip, and Hempstead, and it works to change the systems that affect the people it serves.²

Food

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York collects donated food from the food industry and distributes it to more than 1,000 partner agencies and programs feeding neighbors in need across 23 counties of northeastern New York. Its warehouse sits in Latham, just north of Albany. Its website lists drive-thru pantry dates.³

FOCUS Churches of Albany runs the Interfaith Food Pantry at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Families may visit twice each month. Bring proof of identity, address, and household size. The pantry serves a set area of Albany, and guests from outside that area are referred to the pantry for their neighborhood.⁴

Social services

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany is one of the largest private social service agencies in the region, working across the fourteen counties of the Albany Diocese. It offers emergency assistance, housing help, food support, and services for older adults and families.⁵

The Albany Community Action Partnership partners with families and communities to expand opportunities and build stronger networks. Its programs cover early childhood education, career and community services, and energy services for Albany County residents living in poverty.⁶