Buffalo State University, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield donate 5,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to FeedMore WNY's home-delivered meal clients

Recipients of FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meal program received a timely gift along with their meals this week, thanks to a donation from Buffalo State University and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The university and health care organization donated 5,000 pairs of glasses to safely view the solar eclipse to FeedMore WNY for distribution to older adults and homebound neighbors who rely on FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program.

“Every client that receives a meal is going to get a pair of glasses. We're very excited to partner with FeedMore WNY and to make sure that we're giving back to the community,” said Carol DeNysschen, dean of the School of the Professions at Buffalo State University. DeNysschen is also a former member of FeedMore WNY’s board of directors.

The donation is the latest in a longstanding partnership between FeedMore WNY and Buffalo State University. FeedMore WNY supplies nutritious food and resources for the university’s on-campus food pantry. In addition, university faculty and staff volunteer each week to deliver meals to FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meal clients in the Black Rock-Riverside neighborhood.

As the sponsor of Buffalo State University’s “Eclipse Fest,” Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield partnered with the university for the glasses donation to FeedMore WNY.

“Excitement for the solar eclipse is building, and our community especially – being in the direct path of totality – is eager to participate in viewing parties and witness such an incredible, unique natural phenomenon. And, having proper eyewear to view the eclipse is crucial to the health of our community,” said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “As a community-based health plan, Highmark is proud to support Buffalo State’s efforts to bring our community together in a safe and educational setting for this rare sighting, and as part of that, we will distribute 16,000 pairs of safety glasses to attendees of ‘Eclipse Fest,’ all Buffalo State students and faculty, and our longstanding partners at FeedMore WNY.”

FeedMore WNY volunteers are distributing the glasses to all home-delivered meal clients throughout Erie and Niagara counties this week in advance of the solar eclipse on April 8.

“We are grateful for this thoughtful donation from our partners at Buffalo State University and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,” said Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. “The solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it may have been challenging for many of our home-delivered meal clients to obtain a pair of glasses to safely view the phenomenon were it not for this gift. We have started the process of distributing the glasses to our clients, and the smiles and expressions of gratitude we have received in return have been heartwarming.”

Visit www.feedmorewny.org.