FeedMore, leaders partner for 'March for Meals' to spread awareness on critical need for Meals on Wheels services

Submitted on behalf of FeedMore WNY

Government officials and community partners will join FeedMore WNY to provide nutritious meals and companionship to homebound neighbors from March 20-24. The weeklong effort is a part of FeedMore WNY’s and Meals on Wheels America’s annual “March for Meals” campaign, which highlights the vital role Meals on Wheels programs play in maintaining the health and independence of our older community members.

FeedMore WNY’s Meals on Wheels program – also known as home-delivered meals – provides a hot lunch and cold supper each weekday to homebound residents of Erie and Niagara counties who cannot shop for or prepare food. In addition to delivering nutritious meals to older adults and people living with disabilities, FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals volunteers offer a friendly greeting and well-being check to combat social isolation and loneliness.

The need for FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program continues to grow. In 2022, FeedMore WNY provided nearly 1.1 million meals to more than 6,000 neighbors throughout Erie and Niagara counties. FeedMore WNY also provided more than 235,000 meals to 2,000 older adults through community dining sites in partnership with Erie County’s “Stay Fit” dining program.

“We deeply appreciate all of the community leaders who are taking time to volunteer with FeedMore WNY during ‘March for Meals’ and spread awareness about the importance of critical nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels,” said Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY. “As the demand for our home-delivered meal services continues to increase, FeedMore WNY is in need of more volunteers to provide nutritious food and friendship to our homebound neighbors. We hope our ‘March for Meals’ campaign encourages community members to reach out if they are able to volunteer, or if they are in need of food assistance.”

The following government officials are scheduled to participate in “March for Meals”:

Monday, March 20:

√ Rick Abbott, Niagara County legislator

√ John Mills, Erie County legislator

√ Mitch Nowakowski, City of Buffalo Common Council member

√ Robert Restaino, City of Niagara Falls mayor

Tuesday, March 21

√ Byron Brown, City of Buffalo mayor

√ Lisa Chimera, Erie County deputy county executive

√ Joel Feroleto, City of Buffalo Common Council member

√ Randy Hoak, Hamburg town supervisor

√ Michael Kooshoian, Erie County legislator

Wednesday, March 22

√ Jason Keding, Boston town supervisor

√ David Rivera, Buffalo Common Council member

√ Charles Snyder, Town of Aurora Board member

√ Chris Voccio, Niagara County legislator

√ Thomas Whalen, Village of Angola mayor

Thursday, March 23

Amelia Greenan, Town of West Seneca deputy supervisor

Friday, March 24

√ Bryan Bollman, City of Buffalo Common Council member

√ Gary Dickson, Town of West Seneca supervisor

√ Christopher Greene, Erie County legislator