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Fairgrounds to 'Blast Out Hunger' to support FeedMore WNY

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Fri, Jul 31st 2020 02:55 pm

The Erie County Agricultural Society announced “Blast Out Hunger,” a food drive and fireworks drive-in at the Hamburg Fairgrounds, will support FeedMore WNY. The event is set for Saturday, Aug. 15.

Admission will be a bag of nonperishable food. This is a contactless food drive, so items will be collected directly from each vehicle as guests arrive. Motorists can use eith the South Park Avenue or Quinby Drive entrances, which will open at 7 p.m.

“We know that the Erie County Fair has been the largest one-day summer time food collection for FeedMore WNY over the years,” said Jessica Underberg, CEO of Erie County Agricultural Society. “Opening day has averaged nearly 40,000 pounds of donations with a record 52,968 pounds in 2019. Although the 2020 Erie County Fair will not be happening, and with the current state of need, we decided to partner once again with FeedMore WNY by combining a food drive with the time-honored tradition of fireworks at the fairgrounds.”

The fireworks display, produced by Skylighters of Western New York, will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will last approximately 30 minutes. It will be accompanied by music, which guests can access through their radio at 1620-AM. In the event of rain (or inclement weather), the fireworks will be held on the following Saturday.

“Summer is always a critical time for food donations for FeedMore WNY, but the COVID-19 health crisis has made the need for food drives even more urgent. FeedMore WNY is distributing 54% more food to our partner hunger-relief agencies and through our mobile food pantry compared to this time last year. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate the increased need for food assistance to recede any time soon,” said Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY. “FeedMore WNY is grateful for the partnership of the Hamburg Fairgrounds and the Erie County Fair as we continue our mission. We encourage the community to bring a bag of nutritious food to help feed their hungry neighbors when they come out to safely enjoy ‘Blast Out Hunger’ on Aug. 15.”

In an effort to follow social distancing guidelines, guests will be parked in every other spot on a first-come, first-served basis. People will be able to sit inside their vehicle, in front of their car, or can use the bed of a pick-up truck to sit in. There will be food vendors on site with fair snack favorites including pizza, kettle corn, funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Twinkies, frozen lemonade and candy apples.

For more information, visit www.the-fairgrounds.com.

FeedMore WNY offers dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through its food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief agencies, as well as its home-delivered meal program and other targeted feeding programs, FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. More information can be found at www.feedmorewny.org.

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, it is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York. The fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York.

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