First New York FCU, its employees, members and the community had collected almost 9,000 rolls of toilet paper by last week, with a goal of collecting 12,000 rolls by this Friday, Dec. 11 — the day the donations will be distributed.

Since 2016, First New York FCU has partnered with Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, an agency made up of five food pantries and two soup kitchens located throughout the Capital District, to assist the community and people in need. 

In addition to toilet paper, the credit union also collected personal hygiene items, including deodorant, soap, shampoo and more. Notably, individuals who are on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps or SNAP, are not permitted to purchase personal hygiene products —including deodorant, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent or toilet paper — through the program.

In 2019, through the initiative, 11,000 rolls of toilet paper were collected and donated.