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10th annual Food 2 Families will provide more than 1 million meals to families who rely on Food Bank of WNY

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Tue, Dec 8th 2015 10:20 pm

The 10th annual Food 2 Families drive, sponsored by Tops Friendly Markets, WGRZ-TV and Townsquare Media, collected enough food and funds to provide more than 1 million meals to local families in need during this holiday season and into early next year.

The one-day drive, which was held Dec. 4 at six Tops Friendly Market locations, collected more than $160,000 and approximately 125,813 pounds of food. Channel 2 held live broadcasts from Tops stores throughout the day as members of the community came forth to donate money and carloads of food.

Jim Toellner, president and general manager of WGRZ, said, "The compassion of the Western New York community continues to make Food 2 Families an incredible success year after year. We thank our great partners at Tops Friendly Markets, the Food Bank of WNY, and all those who came forward to help provide food for those who need it most this holiday season."

"Eradicating hunger in our communities is a core mission of our company and, through the support of our customers and associates, we look to provide relief to the Food Bank of WNY," said Andrew Brocato, director of community and public relations for Tops Markets. "We were extremely pleased to sponsor this year's Food 2 Families program and we are humbled to help provide over 1 million meals to people in the Western New York area."

Dean Sarago, director of promotions/marketing at Townsquare Media of Buffalo, said, "Food 2 Families is a great initiative, and Townsquare Media (Mix 96, WYRK, WBLK and Jack FM) is honored to work with all the great people at Channel 2, Tops and The Food Bank of Western New York. It is amazing - all the hard work, planning and dedication that goes into the drive - but it is worth it when one can witness the outpouring of support from area businesses and all of our WNY neighbors."

"We are incredibly grateful to all the businesses and individuals who donated to Food 2 Families, as well as to our friends at Tops Friendly Markets, WGRZ-TV Channel 2 and Townsquare Media for continuing to support this wonderful event," said Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. "The generosity of the Western New York community allows us to continue assisting the 41,348 families who rely on our support during the holidays and throughout the year."

The Food Bank of WNY is the primary hunger relief organization in Western New York, obtaining and distributing food to 326 member agencies, including food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, afterschool programs and senior citizen centers in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Through these agencies, every month the Food Bank of WNY serves 116,691 individuals, including 41,348 families, nearly 44,000 children and infants, and 13,194 senior citizens.

The Food Bank of WNY is one of 200 members of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. For more information, visit www.foodbankwny.org.

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