Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

A ribbon was cut to signify the Food Bank's expanded delivery program. (Submitted)
A ribbon was cut to signify the Food Bank's expanded delivery program. (Submitted)

Food Bank of WNY expanding

Submitted

Thu, May 31st 2018 05:45 pm
Food Bank of WNY's new direct delivery program, truck for Cattaraugus County will increase nutritious food distribution, relieve burden on partner agencies 
The Food Bank of WNY announced the expansion of its direct delivery program and unveiled its new, 26-foot, refrigerated "Partners Fighting Hunger" truck in order to better serve its 34 Cattaraugus County member agencies - and distribute more food to people in need throughout the community.
In any given month, more than 9,200 Cattaraugus County residents rely on the Food Bank of WNY and its partner agencies for nutritious food and support. At present, the Food Bank's Cattaraugus agencies use personal or rental vehicles to pick up their food orders from distribution sites throughout the county. With the launch of its direct delivery program and new truck, the Food Bank will be able to distribute product to its partner agencies' doorsteps - at no cost to them. This will relieve the agencies of the costly, time-consuming and laborious transportation process, and will allow them to order more food as they work to meet the need in the community.
The refrigerated delivery truck will enable the Food Bank to deliver more perishable products, including meat, dairy items and fresh fruits and vegetables, to Cattaraugus residents in need.
"The Food Bank of WNY is thrilled to expand our direct delivery program and hit the road with our new refrigerated delivery truck in order better assist our agencies and neighbors in need throughout Cattaraugus County," said Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. "Currently, one in eight residents in Cattaraugus are struggling with hunger. Thanks to the dedication of our agency representatives and the generosity of our corporate and foundation partners who made direct delivery in Cattaraugus possible, we will be able to distribute more nutritious food to our vulnerable community members."
Members of the Food Bank of WNY's board of directors and staff gathered with Cattaraugus agency representatives, foundation and corporate partners and elected officials for the unveiling, which was held at Olean Food Pantry in Olean.
"Working over the years with the Food Bank of WNY has been a pleasure. They are always trying to find new ways to provide better quality and services for our needs. The direct delivery program will decrease volunteer time, save money and provide our customers the exact food they need. It will truly benefit all the agencies in Cattaraugus County," said John Sheehan, president of Olean Food Pantry.
The expansion of the direct delivery program in Cattaraugus is part of the Food Bank of WNY's commitment to increase food distribution throughout Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. In 2017, the Food Bank of WNY relocated its Chautauqua County Distribution Center from a 2,800-square-foot facility to a 8,000 square-foot-facility. The new facility includes additional dry, refrigerated and frozen storage capacity, and will serve as a disaster relief hub in the event of an emergency.
The launch of Direct Delivery in Cattaraugus County and new delivery truck was supported by The John R. Oishei Foundation, National Fuel, Five Star Bank, Tops Friendly Markets, Cummins Inc. Jamestown Engine Plant and the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

Hometown News

View All News