Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
For 32 years, Katonah-based CCNW has been a vital resource for neighbors in need, offering programs and services that foster self-sufficiency and improve well-being. Founded by local residents and churches, CCNW’s mission is to provide equitable access to food and clothing and offer other vital resources for individuals and families facing hardships.
As the largest food choice pantry in northern Westchester, CCNW goes beyond food, offering a clothing boutique, ESL classes, job training and programs that empower clients. Serving a diverse range of individuals—including those struggling financially, seniors on fixed incomes and people with long-term health issues—the center supports residents from towns like Ossining, Peekskill, Somers, South Salem and everywhere in between.
For many, CCNW is the place to go when you want to volunteer. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities available to the general public, and they also collaborate with 43 local organizations, churches and temples to help the families they serve. Perhaps the easiest way to contribute to CCNW is by donating gently used clothing, which they redistribute in multiple ways: offering some items with their clients, selling others to the public through the Community Shop, repurposing items via their sewing program at the Community Studio and recycling the rest to minimize waste.
Fun Facts
In 2023, the Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW) distributed nearly 760,000 pounds of food, impacting over 11,200 individuals, while also offering job training, clothing and essential services to support thousands of local families.
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
