LIBERTY — On October 31, Martin Colavito and his wife Lynn will set out on a 46-mile walk from their home in Liberty to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Montgomery. They’re not doing it for sport or recreation. They’re doing it because people in Sullivan County are going hungry.

Called Martin and Lynn’s Long Walk, the four-day trek is meant to raise awareness and funds for the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard, a food delivery program run by SALT—Sullivan Allies Leading Together—that serves over 700 residents every week. But lately, that number is harder to maintain.

“What we’ve found since January is that the sources of nutrition have been steadily declining,” said Colavito. “The USDA funding that used to support a lot of the food programs is just not there like it was.”

With fewer resources and rising costs, the cupboard now keeps a waiting list—something Colavito never imagined they’d need when the program started five years ago at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It breaks my heart to have a waiting list. There’s something incredibly immoral about having a waiting list for food,” he said.

The cupboard was formed during the pandemic shutdown to reach residents with access issues. At the time, the goal was to help people who couldn’t leave their homes. Now, it’s about helping people who can’t afford to eat—working people, families with young children, and those with disabilities.

“Most people would be shocked if they knew how many of our neighbors who are food insecure are also employed,” said Colavito. “They’re part of our community. They’re not taking advantage of anything. They’re just trying to eat.”

In Sullivan County, transportation remains a barrier to accessing food. Even if there’s a pantry nearby, many residents can’t get there.

“Just because someone has a car doesn’t mean they have access,” he said. “That one car might be taking someone to work. If you have an infant at home, four blocks might as well be four miles.”

According to data from FeedHV.org, roughly 10 percent of Hudson Valley residents are food insecure. One in eight children in the region lives in a household that struggles to get enough to eat. Statewide, more than 2.7 million students rely on free school meals to avoid hunger. 

Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office announced over $500 million has been dedicated to food access programs since 2020, but federal cuts in 2024 have hit local food pantries hard.

That’s why Martin and Lynn are walking.

The couple is covering their own travel and housing expenses. Donations will go directly to the cupboard, and supporters can sponsor a mile of the walk for $50. The route will stretch across multiple towns, giving Colavito a chance to talk to residents along the way.

“We want to take this time to reflect on how lucky we are and have real conversations about hunger and hardship,” said Colavito. “Hunger doesn’t care what party you belong to. If you’re suffering, you’re suffering.”

Colavito does not take a salary from the cupboard. His wife Lynn works part-time with the program but regularly puts in full-time hours. They say the walk is an investment—not just in raising money, but in keeping attention on an issue that’s only gotten worse.

“We have ten months of funding left,” said Colavito. “This walk is about buying us time. Time to keep the cupboard open. Time to find sustainable funding. And time to remind people that we all have a role to play.”

If all goes as planned, Martin and Lynn will reach the food bank in Montgomery on November 3. Along the way, they’re hoping for conversations, connections, and maybe a few waves from passing cars.

“If you see us, say hi,” said Colavito. “You’ll know us—two dorks with walking sticks.”

How to Help

To sponsor a mile or donate to the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard, visit sullivansalt.org. All proceeds will go toward purchasing and delivering food in Sullivan County.