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'Walk Off Hunger' offers variety of options across WNY for community members to support neighbors in need

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Wed, Sep 23rd 2020 12:00 pm

As FeedMore WNY continues to respond to the increased need for food assistance in the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FeedMore WNY Foundation encourages Western New Yorkers to support their neighbors in need by participating in “Walk Off Hunger” from Oct. 3-10.

Presented by M&T Bank, “Walk Off Week” is a hybrid of the traditional “Walk Off Hunger” event and offers a variety of ways to participate, including attending meet-up events that adhere to social distancing guidelines, downloading a DIY walk route to follow, or simply choosing a favorite trail.

Registration is $25 per person (or $20 per person for groups of four or more participants). Registration is free for youth ages 15 and younger. Participants will receive a reusable tote bag, a mask, hand sanitizer, bottled water and more. “Walk Off Hunger” participants also will have the chance to participate in an online auction. To register or for more information, visit www.feedmorewny.org.

“While hunger has long been a problem in Western New York, the need for food assistance has dramatically increased because of the pandemic. Sadly, as many as one in six individuals may be at risk of hunger in FeedMore WNY’s service area. Events like ‘Walk Off Hunger’ make it possible for FeedMore WNY to continue to provide nutritious food to children, families, veterans and older adults struggling with hunger,” said Kristen Hanson, “Walk Off Hunger” co-chair and vice president of Center Store, Our Brands and Pharmacy for Tops Friendly Markets. Hanson also serves on FeedMore WNY’s board of directors.

New this year, the FeedMore WNY Foundation will hold meet-up events on Oct. 3 and 10 at locations across its four-country service area. Individuals and small groups can register to attend one of the meet-up events and walk the route any time between 10 a.m. and noon. All routes will be on flat, well-marked trails and will span from one to two miles in total distance. Safety and social distance protocols will be followed at all meet-up locations. Meet-up events will be held at:

  • HoliMont Ski Club, 6921 Route 242, Ellicottville (Cattaraugus County)
  • Lakeside Park, 50 W. Lake Road, Mayville (Chautauqua County)
  • Outer Harbor – Wilkeson Pointe, 225 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo
  • Knox Farm State Park, 437 Buffalo Road, East Aurora
  • Reinstein Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew
  • Congregation Shir Shalom, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville
  • Goat Island, 24 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls

“Support for ‘Walk Off Hunger’ has never been more critical, and with multiple meet-up locations and DIY walk routes, it has never been easier to take part in this event. We encourage everyone to participate in ‘Walk Off Hunger’ from Oct. 3 through Oct. 10 and help feed our community members in need,” said Rosa Alina Pizzi, “Walk Off Hunger” co-chair and partner at Phillips Lytle LLP.

Matt McAfee, senior vice president for M&T Bank and first vice chair of FeedMore WNY’s board of directors, said,“2020 has been a challenging year for our communities, due to COVID-19 and the resulting economic pressures on families throughout Western New York. M&T Bank is proud to be the presenting sponsor of FeedMore WNY’s 2020 ‘Walk Off Hunger’ event, to raise funds to ensure our communities have access to healthy food supplies during this heightened period of need.”

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