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

FeedMore WNY in need of turkeys, holiday food staples

In an effort to provide holiday meals to hungry community members, 97 Rock, Kaleida Health, WKBW-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News and FeedMore WNY are teaming up for the 14th annual “Operation: Rock Out Hunger.” The weeklong holiday food and fund drive will be held from 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, through 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, in the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital parking lot, 1540 Maple Road, Williamsville.

97 Rock’s DJ Jickster will live on a FeedMore WNY trailer for the entire week as he collects donations of frozen turkeys, nonperishable food items and funds to benefit the hungry families, children, older community members and veterans who depend on FeedMore WNY’s Food Bank program and its partner hunger-relief agencies.

“Each year, I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of all those who stop by the trailer with donations,” Jickster said. “It is a humbling experience to learn how great the need is in Western New York, and it is rewarding to meet all the people who come out to make a difference. I encourage the community to come out and help us ‘Rock Out Hunger.’ Every item of food and dollar donated will help feed our neighbors in need.”

As a kick-off to the event, Kaleida Health and its affiliates across FeedMore WNY’s four-county service area collected food donations from Oct. 28 through Nov. 15.

“We are incredibly honored to be part of ‘Rock Out Hunger’ again,” said Jody Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. “For the past three weeks, 34 locations across Kaleida Health and our affiliates throughout Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties have been collecting nonperishable food items to ramp up for ‘Rock Out Hunger,’ and dozens more of our employees will be volunteering at ‘Rock Out Hunger’ in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.

“We recognize that far too many individuals and families in our community live below the poverty level and cannot celebrate the holidays. They struggle for the most basic items and the things many of us may take for granted. So – as the Kaleida Health family – we wanted to continue our momentum from last year and make a meaningful impact this season.”

From left, DJ Jickster, FeedMore President and CEO WNY Tara A. Ellis and President of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Darcy Craven at a press conference Tuesday.

Hunger is prevalent throughout Western New York. FeedMore WNY’s services assists people living in cities, suburbs and rural neighborhoods. Currently, more than 168,000 individuals are struggling with hunger throughout FeedMore WNY’s service area.

“WKBW is proud to be a part of ‘Rock Out Hunger’ as the need in the WNY community is greater than ever. We support 97 Rock’s Jickster, Kaleida Health and FeedMore WNY in their mission to make the holidays a little better for those who need it most. We look forward to highlighting the stories of those that are helped by the community’s generous donations, and to spread the mission of the program on 7 Eyewitness News and ‘AM Buffalo,’ ” said WKBW Creative Services Director Sue Dobmeier.

In addition to the collection at “Operation: Rock Out Hunger,” donations of food and funds can be dropped off at the Food Bank (91 Holt St., Buffalo) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Saturdays. Donations also can be made online at www.feedmorewny.org.

“For many struggling families in Western New York, a plentiful holiday meal is not a given. FeedMore WNY works tirelessly to ensure our neighbors in need have enough to eat during the holiday season and throughout the year – but we need the community’s help,” said Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY. “We thank DJ Jickster, 97 Rock, Kaleida Health and WKBW 7 Eyewitness News for making ‘Operation: Rock Out Hunger’ possible, and we encourage the Western New York community to come out and support this drive to benefit our less-fortunate neighbors.”

Kaleida staff who are volunteering at “Rock Out Hunger,” along with DJ Jickster and FeedMore WNY staff.