About Us

Sidewalk Warriors Troy thrives on our community connections with both individuals and many local businesses. These connections open opportunities which allow us to better serve the needs of our community. We are grateful to be able to have this support; we can provide a hand up for anyone who may need our assistance.

Sidewalk Warriors Troy has two storage units where many of our donations are kept until they are used in a distribution. We have a great core of volunteers who work from their homes and have designated areas where they store donations for future use. We do not have an office or official address. We are "carry in and carry out" at our location. We bring in 24+ folding tables and set up right on the sidewalk on the corner of 5th and State St. The weather does not affect us; we set up in all types of weather. We fill the tables within minutes as cars are dropping off to our location.

For our friends in line, we do not require paperwork and we do not ask questions. When a friend has a need, we do our best to accommodate. If they have a special request, we do our best to provide. We often will post special requests on our FB page. Monetary donations received are always used to purchase items needed. Each and every item donated goes directly into the hands of those in need, free of charge. There is no judgment.

We operate entirely by our volunteers with support from our community, organizations, businesses, and individuals, who cook, bake, donate monetarily or purchase requested items. Every donated item helps tremendously and is greatly appreciated; no donation is ever too small, it takes a village to do what we do.

Each week we provide hot foods, sandwiches, produce, pantry items and essentials. We often provide special distributions such as towels, linens, pillows, winter boots, underwear, socks, laundry detergent and the list continues.

We set up weekly on Thursdays, at 35 State St - at the United Methodist Church (aka as Red Door Church)

Volunteers arrive at 4:30 pm for set up and we start serving at 6:00 pm.

Our Friends Say

Hear What Our Friends Say...

Special thanks to Lisa Grace of Conceptual Images for creating these videos depicting the impact that Sidewalk Warriors Troy has on the friends in our community.

Impact

Impact & Efforts:

2022

Volunteer hours given: 18,600+
Friends served: 6,200+
Hot meals distributed: Over 18,200+
Boots, winter coats, and sleeping bags: 370+
Christmas gifts distributed: 1,200
Second Annual Fall Fundraiser: $52,862

2021

Volunteer hours given: 15,000
Friends served: 5,500
Hot meals distributed: Over 15,000
Sandwiches distributed: More than 6,500
Bags of pet food given for our 4-legged friends: 950+
First Annual Fall Fundraiser: $31,500

And countless direct donations of funds, special items
for distribution, and repeat donations of essentials.

Board of Directors

Robin Fontanelli

President

Robin’s interest in helping others is something that has always felt right in her heart. She says, "This isn’t something you learn in school or college, this is in you, you know it and you feel it."

For more than 30 years, Robin owned a bridal shop where she learned the importance of listening to people and their needs. Then later, she became intrigued with the world of finance and wanted to help others reach their financial goals.

During this time, she started volunteering more frequently and knew serving others was where she should be. She leads Sidewalk Warriors Troy as they go above and beyond just providing a warm meal and sandwich. Robin ensures each volunteer and friend served feels a sense of family, compassion, and love, which will always make a greater impact on the community.

Robin welcomes new volunteers who want to join the group's efforts, and invites new friends in need to stop by the weekly distribution site.

"Each week we see some new friends, some friends from the week before, and some from who return to report that they changed their path. It is remarkable to have someone walk by your pop-up distribution and tell you that this group changed my life or this group believed in me... When you hear such powerful words with conviction you know you are in the right place. This is why we do what we do, you just never know the impact you may have on just one person."

Robin is married has two adult daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren nearby.
She currently resides in Latham, NY.

Nicholas Francella

Vice President

Nick’s philanthropic journey started after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. “I saw a commercial that made a lasting impact on me – A little girl is overjoyed to find the perfect toy she’s been wanting forever and in the end she donates it to another child that may have went without during Christmas.” Nick started a personal fundraiser to buy Christmas gifts for children throughout the Capital Region and raised more than $25,000 throughout five years. In 2018, Nick created his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The Francella Foundation, to continue to raise funds and support worthy causes in the area.

Nick began his career in the nonprofit world while managing grants for Equinox Inc. and then joined the Foundation team at St. Catherine’s Center for Children. Nick currently contracts for New York State’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, which aims to ensure New York’s most vulnerable populations have access to safe and secure housing.

Nick has been a dedicated volunteer of Sidewalk Warriors Troy and looks forward to serving in the Vice President role and to securing grants and creating lasting partnerships. “Each week, Sidewalk Warriors Troy grounds me and always puts my perspective in focus. My compassionate side really comes from my parents. They both worked modest and tough jobs and still gave my brother and me everything we could ever want growing up. I always wanted to assist others if I had the means to do so and Sidewalk Warriors Troy continues to fuel that ambition.”

Anthony Fontanelli

Treasurer

Tony has always been a generous individual with a strong desire to help people. He was caretaker for his parents for many years, and they instilled in him the strong family values that included helping others.

Tony will notice the gentleman in need on the corner and give not only assistance, but engage in conversation with a smile. When he first met his wife, it became clear that they both wanted to help their community. Before long, he became a dedicated weekly volunteer setting up tables on the sidewalks of Troy... and the rest is history.

For Tony, Sidewalk Warriors Troy has become more than just helping individuals, it is a commitment. He recognizes that time and consistency is so important to developing trust. Tony has demonstrated that we are there for our friends each week with needed items. He reports, "There is nothing more rewarding than for someone to ask for a pair of boots or sneakers, and to see their reaction when you show up with them the next time you see them. They now feel they have been heard and valued."

Tony worked for Albany County for over 45 years and recently retired. He is an active 6 Degree Black Belt instructor in Martial Arts for over 28 years. He has an adult son, extended family, and grandchildren.

His expertise in accounting is welcomed by Sidewalk Warriors Troy!

Dawn Baldwin

Secretary

Dawn has been a helper since her childhood and filled a role as a caretaker for family members. This defines the person she has become.

Dawn works at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga as the Director of Operations. This role allows her to help make sure that all children have access to informal educational opportunities!