This week we caught up with Sara DiLandro — a third generation Glens Falls gal! She shares the inspiration behind her newly formed not-for-profit — The GFCSD Backpack Program, what she loves about her 100 year old Glens Falls colonial, and some great ideas for youth recreation spaces in the city…
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! My name is Sara DiLandro (Landry) and I live in Glens Falls with my husband, Joe, and our two kids, Will (12) and Ellie (9).
I am the founder and Board President of the newly formed not-for-profit, The GFCSD Backpack Program. Our program ensures that no Glens Falls City School District student faces food insecurity over the weekend or over school breaks. Some students rely on the meals provided at school as their main food source. It is sad to think that while most kids come to school to learn, some come to eat. I don't think a lot of people realize that. I was an elementary teacher for 15 years and have seen the impact these kinds of programs can have on kids. Our program sends bags of food home at the end of every week to 155 students (and counting) in the school district. Each bag contains food that is easy to open and prepare, keeping in mind that some of the kids in our program may live in temporary housing, such as a motel. The program is run by amazing local volunteers and is completely donation based. Our local community has been so generous to us. We have individuals and families that sponsor students for the year and many local businesses that hold food drives for us. I could never do this without all of the support. When I left teaching in 2019, I began focusing on giving back to my community, specifically helping the kids that live here, for they are the future of our great little city.
[Editor’s Note: Here is a link to donate to the Backpack Program, if you’re so inclined!]
On Life In Glens Falls
I am a 3rd generation Glens Falls gal! Both sets of my grandparents grew up here and my parents both grew up here. My parents still live in the first house they bought together that I grew up in.
I attended Jackson Heights for elementary school and graduated from Glens Falls High School. Of my 15 first cousins, 12 of us graduated from Glens Falls and still live here. In fact, many of us live within a mile of each other now and our kids go to school together.
After I graduated from college, my husband and I moved to Connecticut for 2 years for his job. We found ourselves coming home every weekend to visit family and friends and when we wanted to start our own family, we knew it was going to be back home. It is pretty special to have a ski mountain just a few miles away and also be able to visit Lake George and Saratoga in just a few minutes.
We own an over 100 year old colonial on Roosevelt Avenue. It has had some updates over the years, but I love some of the home's original features like the glass doorknobs and built-ins.
I love that Glens Falls has sidewalks surrounding all of the homes here. It really encourages a sense of community. I also love that we live in a walking school district, which is really rare, and that we have neighborhood elementary schools. My neighborhood is filled with many Glens Falls alumni too. It is great to see so many of us continue to call Glens Falls home.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
A perfect day in Glens Falls changes with the seasons, but usually starts for me at our local YMCA where I both teach and take fitness classes. We are so lucky to have our own YMCA that offers so many programs for all ages in our community. Afterward, I usually walk our dogs over to Crandall Park, which is another gem for our city that just keeps getting better!
In the summer, a Saturday isn't complete without a trip to the Glens Falls Farmers’ Market. We visit Crandall Library every week, attend shows at the Wood Theatre, and enjoy the seasonal events and festivities that take place downtown every year.
When it comes to going out to eat as a family, we love to eat at Fenimore's. It has been amazing to watch The Q be transformed to what it is today. Our go to date night spot is sitting at the bar at Radici, or in the summer — sitting on the porch at Morgan & Co.
In the winter, you can find us at the Glens Falls Rec Center most of the time, where my son plays hockey for Adirondack Youth Hockey. He has kids on his team that come from all over, and we are so fortunate to have our very own rink in town!
On the Past
One of my favorite memories growing up here was walking to school each morning. I was lucky enough to live a block away from my grandparents growing up and every morning, as I crossed Ridge Street on my way to Jackson Heights, my grandma would wave to us from her window. My grandparents have both since passed away, but her house is still in our family. Even when I pass it today, I can picture her in that window, smiling and waving.
On the Future
This city has had some amazing improvements over the years, but like everything, there is always more that can be done.
I think we could use some updates in our youth recreation spaces. I grew up riding my bike to The Glens Falls Tennis and Swim Club almost everyday in the summer. I loved it there and it saddens me anytime I drive by it and see it so run down. It would be great to have something like that again, or a nice updated community pool, similar to Gurney Lane, that families could easily walk or bike to. Our Glens Falls Little League fields over at East Field are in need of some improvements to accommodate the close to 400 kids in our community that play Glens Falls Rec baseball and softball.
It would also be great to see a new hockey facility. Youth hockey has become so big in our area, with over 600 kids in the program, but the Glens Falls Rec Center still looks like it did when I was little, and our area has way outgrown that space. The rink is shared with other schools too, and ice time is hard to come by. It would be great to see a new facility built with a couple of ice rinks and maybe even a restaurant. I think it would bring a lot of business to the area if we were able to hold big hockey tournaments here. With tournaments, you have families from all over not only the state, but the whole Northeast. Having a nice facility to hold tournaments in would mean more people staying in our local hotels and shopping and dining at our local businesses.
With or without these improvements, I honestly can't imagine living anywhere else.
