New Lake Placid Community Food Pantry and Thrift Shop Now Open

Thrive and Thrift brings two valuable services together in new building

LAKE PLACID – The community of Lake Placid gathered on November 16 for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Thrive and Thrift, a newly constructed community food pantry and thrift shop located next to the Shipman Youth Center at 21 Cummings Rd.

The project was built by Homestead Development Corporation on land provided by the Lake Placid School District with support from the Village of Lake Placid, Town of North Elba, Adirondack Foundation and generous donations from individual members of the community, including philanthropic local organizations and foundations. It is operated by a newly formed nonprofit organization.

The food pantry is now open every Friday from 9 a.m. – noon and the thrift shop is expected to open soon with the hours of Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Friday’s from 1 – 5 p.m.

The 3,000-square-foot modular building was completed in just three months and serves as a transition from a food pantry that had been run by the Ecumenical Charity Program in the basement of St. Agnes Church for over 30 years. Lake Placid’s previous thrift shop had recently been displaced from its former location on Mirror Lake Drive. Thrive and Thrift combines the two into a welcoming and convenient space.

“The grassroots effort that went into making this project happen so fast is incredible,” said Steve Sama, President of Homestead Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to providing attainable and sustainable housing in Lake Placid. “Thrive and Thrift will now be able to serve the community for another 30 years and beyond in a modern, purpose-built and welcoming space for all.”

“The construction of the Lake Placid Thrive and Thrift building has assured the sustainability of critical resources and support for local students and families. The school district is so grateful to the many partners that came together to restore this resource hub for our community,” said Tim Seymour, Superintendent of Lake Placid Central School District. “None of this would have been possible without the dedication and skill of the team at Homestead Development Corporation. Our community is stronger thanks to the efforts of Steve Sama and the entire Homestead organization.”    

"We experienced another miracle in Lake Placid,” said Jim Koening, Board Chair of Thrive and Thrift. “From concept to ribbon cutting, it took 294 days to build a new home for Thrive and Thrift. I am overwhelmed by our community's generosity and found Steve Sama and his team a joy to work with.”

 In addition to offering an enhanced food pantry and access to affordable clothing and household goods, Thrive and Thrift will also serve as a vital resource for community care and connection.

It is the second community development project in Lake Placid completed by Homestead Development Corporation. Homestead recently completed the Fawn Valley housing development, a project that includes six single family homes and sixteen two-bedroom townhomes for sale at their cost to local essential workers and to those who have served the community. The single family homes and thirteen of the sixteen townhomes have been sold – only three of the townhouses are still available.