The Summit Federal Credit Union's 'Plates of Thanks' benefits FeedMore

The Summit Federal Credit Union, one of the leading credit unions in Western New York, the Finger Lakes Region, and Central New York, recently presented a donation of $5,000 to FeedMore Western New York.

The “Plates of Thanks” campaign, held during the last two months of 2021, raised $5,000 to provide nutritious food for neighbors in need. Buffalo-area members of The Summit purchased “plates” of different values, with all proceeds benefitting FeedMore WNY. Employees of The Summit joined the effort with plate purchases as well.

“2021 was difficult for people who were already vulnerable, as well as those finding themselves newly in need due to COVID-related circumstances,” said Keith Parwulski, director of regional branch services for the Buffalo region. “This is the ninth year in which The Summit has participated in ‘Plates of Thanks’ through both of our Buffalo branches. This donation is by far the largest, and we want to thank our Buffalo members and employees who were so generous.”

FeedMore President and CEO Tara A. Ellis said, “FeedMore WNY is incredibly grateful to the staff and members of The Summit Federal Credit Union for their continued dedication to our mission. For nearly a decade, The Summit team has helped our hunger-relief organization serve children, families and older adults throughout Western New York. The pandemic continues to heighten the need for food assistance in our community, and, unfortunately, one in eight individuals in FeedMore WNY’s service area are at risk of hunger. The Summit’s annual ‘Plates of Thanks’ campaign enables FeedMore WNY to provide nutritious food and critical resources to our neighbors in need.”

FeedMore WNY’s mission is to offer dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship, and skills training to Western New York neighbors in need. FeedMore WNY’s food bank and Meals on Wheels programs have a combined 90 years of feeding the Western New York community. In 2020, the Meals on Wheels program provided approximately 1.4 million meals to homebound neighbors and through congregate dining sites. The food bank program distributed more than 17 million pounds of nutritious fresh and shelf-stable foods to nearly 300 pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other hunger-relief agencies throughout Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. FeedMore WNY is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and works as a member the national organizations of Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America.

The need is year-round: not just around the holidays or during the cold winters. To find out how to help FeedMore, visit www.feedmorewny.org