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Record-breaking Sweet Charity for Food Bank of WNY

by jmaloni
Thu, Feb 9th 2017 12:10 pm

Proceeds will help Food Bank of WNY provide 936,000 meals to hungry community members

Approximately 936,000 meals will be provided to local families in need as a result of the 11th annual Sweet Charity to benefit the Food Bank of WNY. Presented by James Desiderio Wholesale Produce, this year's fundraiser raised a record-breaking $156,000. The proceeds will help the Food Bank provide an additional 100,000 meals as compared to last year's event.

All proceeds from Sweet Charity will assist the Food Bank in its mission to procure and distribute nutritious food and resources to hungry Western New Yorkers through its 329 member agencies throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

"On behalf of the Food Bank of WNY's board of directors and staff, I thank all those who helped make the 11th annual Sweet Charity not only a success, but a record-breaking effort," said Tom Berical, Sweet Charity co-chair and past chair of the Food Bank's board of directors. "In any given month, 44,000 local families turn to the Food Bank for assistance. The proceeds from Sweet Charity will go a long way in helping to feed our hungry community members."

Glenn Butler, Sweet Charity co-chair and Food Bank board member, said, "Sweet Charity is truly a team effort. We are so grateful for the dedication and support of our sponsors, the many participating local establishments, the hard work of our volunteers and Sweet Charity committee members, and the generosity of the Western New York community. This incredible support enables the Food Bank to meet the growing need in our community and to continue to fight hunger one day at a time."

Sweet Charity was held on Feb. 2 at the Adam's Mark Hotel. It offered more food and drink selections than ever before. Attendees enjoyed tastings from more than 40 Western New York establishments, and participated in silent and live auctions, a surprise drawing for a chance to win more than $2,600 worth of prizes, and a wine ring toss.

"Sweet Charity has solidly evolved into a culture of partners that truly care about people in our community who are in critical need," said Robert Mercurio, president and CEO of James Desiderio Wholesale Produce. "The Western New York area is truly blessed to have such heartfelt and engaged people who aspire to such a high level of support. James Desiderio Wholesale Produce is proud to work with the Food Bank and these partners in the fight against hunger."

Sweet Charity's sponsors also included: Decadent Sponsor - Delta Airlines; Main Entrée Sponsors - The Buffalo Sabres, JIT Toyota Lift, Lawley Insurance, Tops Friendly Markets, Syntel and Wegmans Food Markets; Soufflé Sponsors - Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP, Independent Health, LP Ciminelli, M&T Bank, MAV Sales, Seneca Resorts & Casinos and Vogt Sprinkler Service Inc.; and Cookie Tray Sponsors - 2 Find Your Home, AAA of Western and Central New York, Blount Consulting, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC; Broccoli Associates Inc.; Five Star Bank; Freed Maxick CPAs P.C.; Hodgson Russ LLP; Keller Technology Corp.; Landies Candies; Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP; MOOG; Murak & Associates LLC; Nottingham Advisors; Personal Touch Food Service Inc.; RKD Alpha Dog; Rich Products Corp.; Sherwood Food Distributors; WellCare; and WNY Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association.

The Food Bank of WNY is the primary hunger-relief organization in Western New York, obtaining and distributing food to 329 member agencies, including food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, youth programs and senior centers in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Through these agencies, the Food Bank of WNY serves as many as 129,322 individuals in any given month, including more than 44,000 families, 45,000 children, and nearly 17,000 seniors.

For more information, visit www.foodbankwny.org.

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