By Kate Bartlett
During this holiday season, it’s important to remember those in need. Hunger continues to be an ongoing epidemic across Western New York, especially as many programs put in place during the Pandemic have come to an end. Thankfully, FeedMore WNY has many programs in place for hunger relief, and has the capability to help thousands of those in need not only during the holidays, but throughout the entire year.
Unfortunately, food insecurity is a pervasive problem in all areas of Western New York, including urban, suburban and rural areas alike. As the cost of living continues to rise, individuals are struggling to make ends meet. Some are faced with difficult decisions like whether to fill a prescription, fill their gas tank or buy groceries. Thankfully, FeedMore has a wonderful network of partner agencies that are working with the common goal of hunger relief.
to fresh, locally grown and sourced produce to our neighbors. During times when locally sourced produce is unavailable. The Farm Market will partner with area wholesalers to provide an abundance of food items.
FeedMore WNY encompasses the 4 counties of WNY: (Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua) and was born from the merger of two of the area’s most well-known organizations – the Food Bank of WNY and Meals on Wheels. The two companies have held a longstanding common goal of ending hunger in our communities.
Today, FeedMore WNY continues with the mission of “offering dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its WNY neighbors in need”. Through food bank distribution and home-delivered meal programs, FeedMore provides hunger relief assistance to many families in its served communities.
with everyone in our community to help FeedMore
WNY fulfi ll their mission to secure nutritious food
for all Western New Yorkers. Operation: Rock Out
Hunger is presented by the Upstate Auto Group.
For the 18th year in a row, Dave Jickster will live on
a truck to collect food and cash to benefi t the Feed-
More WNY, which will help our neighbors in need
this holiday season! Operation: Rock Out Hunger
will begin at 3pm, November 14th thru 9:30am, November
21st in the front of the main parking lot of
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, 1540 Maple Rd,
Williamsville, NY 14221.
Furthermore, the agency offers assistance to community schools and colleges through programs such as the backpack program. “This hunger relief program provides backpacks full of nutritious foods for elementary school students to take home for the weekends”, says Catherine Shick, Public Relations Manager with FeedMore. “We also work with area high schools and colleges to make food accessible through our school pantry program and help those in need find resources.”
According to Catherine, the agency assisted nearly 23,000 residents in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County last year alone. FeedMore WNY partners with and distributes food to 31 hunger-relief agencies in Cattaraugus County and 52 in Chautauqua County.
“Our impact reaches far beyond Buffalo and its suburbs, and many people don’t realize that”, says Catherine. “We support many families across all 4 counties and are available as a support and a resource to anyone struggling with hunger.”
“No donation is too small,” reminds Catherine. “We are always grateful for any donation of food, funds and time. Every little bit adds up to make a big difference. Buffalo and its surrounding counties really do make up the community of good neighbors.”
For more information visit https://www.feedmorewny.org/, and remember that every little bit helps. Together, we can make a difference.