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'Operation: Rock Out Hunger' to help families in need of holiday meals

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Thu, Nov 10th 2016 04:50 pm

Food Bank of WNY still in need of 5,000 turkeys to serve hungry community members

In an effort to provide holiday meals to hungry local families, the 11th annual "Operation: Rock Out Hunger," presented by 97 Rock and co-sponsored by WKBW-TV Channel 7, will be held from 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, through 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, in the Eastern Hills Mall parking lot, 4545 Transit Road in Williamsville.

97 Rock's DJ Jickster will live on a Food Bank of Western New York trailer for the week as he collects donations of frozen turkeys, nonperishable food items, and funds to benefit the 44,445 families who now rely on the Food Bank in any given month - a nearly 8 percent increase since last year.

In order to fulfill the needs of all the hungry local families served by the Food Bank, the organization is asking for assistance from the community. The Food Bank said it's hopeful "Operation: Rock Out Hunger" will help the meet the overall goal of collecting 5,000 turkeys to distribute to those in need of a holiday meal.

National Fuel has announced that it will match the first 500 turkeys donated to the event.

"The holidays can be an especially stressful time of year for the thousands of families facing hunger in Western New York. Instead of preparing a traditional feast, many of these families struggle to afford even the most basic necessities," said Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. "We truly appreciate DJ Jickster and 97 Rock, WKBW, and all of our generous community members who support this drive in order to give our neighbors in need a reason to celebrate this holiday season."

In addition to the collection at "Rock Out Hunger," donations of food and funds can also be dropped off at the Food Bank (91 Holt St., Buffalo) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. 

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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