The Community Center of Northern Westchester—Where Compassion Meets Climate Action
At the Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW), sustainability isn’t a side project—it’s second nature. For over 30 years, CCNW has served as a lifeline to more than 3,500 families annually, providing food, clothing, and dignity with a deep commitment to caring for both people and the planet. And they do it with style, heart, and a lot of creativity.
Bedford 2030 sat down with Executive Director Clare Murray and Director of Operations and Community Engagement Nicole Sorgi to discuss CCNW’s environmental impacts and the ways our community can support their initiatives.
“It’s just who we are.”
That’s how Clare Murray describes CCNW’s sustainability ethos. There’s no elaborate strategy document—they simply operate in a way that makes sense for the world and the community.
Clothes donated to CCNW are given a second life at no cost to those who need them. Sometimes, the same outfit comes back a few seasons later when a child has outgrown it, ready to start the cycle again. And for items that are torn or too worn to reuse? CCNW does everything in its power to find them a new purpose—sheets are donated to animal shelters, eyeglasses are sent to LensCrafters, and hangers and garbage bags are either reused or responsibly recycled. (Reminder: Donate responsibly! CCNW only accepts certain items in good condition. Please refer to this post for donation guidelines.)
While 95% of donated clothes are given directly to neighbors in need, the remaining 5% is sold at the vibrant Community Shop in Katonah, which helps fund the center itself. In the Community Studio, also located in downtown Katonah, donated fabric is upcycled into one-of-a-kind creations, breathing new life into what might’ve ended up in a landfill. It also serves as a center for workforce development classes and skill-building programs.
More Than a Food Pantry
CCNW’s food pantry is its biggest source of joy—and also its greatest cost. Donations, whether monetary or in the form of donated produce (see accepted food items here), are critical. However, thanks to an inspiring local network, food recovery is in full swing: CCNW picks up donations from ShopRite, ACME in Goldens Bridge and Yorktown, LMNOP Bakery, Sgaglio’s Marketplace, and more, as well as schools like Rippowam Cisqua. Partnerships with farms like Hilltop Hanover and Gentle Time Farm bring in fresh produce—around 20 cases a week! The Westchester Local Food Project even transforms recovered food into home-cooked meals for CCNW families. It’s a full-circle system that feeds both stomachs and spirits.
Meet Anthony: Recycling Rockstar
Anthony, the Assistant Operations Manager, deserves a special spotlight as one of the behind-the-scenes heroes of this green machine. He personally sorts, recycles, and repurposes the influx of donated items—taking clothing hangers back to families or to the recycling center, returning farm produce boxes for reuse, and repurposing ripped garbage bags (most donations are delivered in these bags, and keeping them out of the landfill requires creative thinking). If they can be reused, Anthony gives them to CCNW clients, and if they’re torn, he takes them to ShopRite’s recycling station.) “People don’t realize how accessible and helpful the recycling center is,” he says, but he’s out to change that—one bag, one box, one item at a time.
Anthony’s mission is clear: keep as much out of the landfill as humanly possible. He even collaborates with CCNW clients, such as one who volunteered to fix a donated but broken air conditioner instead of tossing it. Anthony is a testament to one individual’s far-reaching impact, but he can only do this work with the power of his community’s generosity behind him.
How You Can Help
CCNW needs all of us to be part of the solution. That means:
Donating Gently Used Clothing – Items in good condition are most helpful and ready to serve right away.
Donating Food – The pantry is always in need. Every item counts.
Volunteering or Donating Funds – Your time and contributions fuel this incredible work.
Staying Tuned for Seasonal Drives – Prom dresses, backpacks, holiday gifts—needs change with the calendar, and back-to-school season has already begun. Stay connected with CCNW on Facebook and Instagram.
And perhaps most importantly, educating ourselves and our neighbors about the entire lifecycle of our stuff, and our responsibility to reduce landfill waste. Here are some easy-to-use resources to guide you:
♻️ Bedford 2030’s Zero Waste Toolkit — Use this tool to explore the waste reduction resources available in our community.
📖 Bedford 2030’s Recyclopedia — From aluminum cans to washing machines, this A-to-Z index tells you exactly how to recycle, repurpose, or responsibly dispose of your household goods.
Make donating, instead of dumping, your first choice. Take responsibility for the whole lifecycle of your purchases, from shopping cart to end-of-life. CCNW is proof that we can fight climate change—right here in our own community—but it takes effort, awareness, care, and the power of devoted individuals.
Big Green Things are Coming
CCNW is also in the process of building a new energy-efficient Center, complete with heat pumps, solar panels, and native plant landscaping for pollinators. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months, with construction scheduled for completion in April 2026.
For now, if you’re looking to make a real difference, skip the trash bin. Bring your in-good-condition items, your time, or your dollars to a place where sustainability and humanity go hand in hand.
