Poloncarz announces $3 million in funding to support construction of FeedMore WNY's new facility

With federal & state funds already committed, Erie County becomes first local municipality to financially support FeedMore WNY’s capital project

FeedMore WNY Press Release

Due to the rapid increase of food insecurity among Western New York residents, FeedMore WNY’s facilities are operating far beyond their capacity. To strengthen and expand its essential feeding programs and vital services that transform lives through free workforce development, nutrition education and increased fresh food access, FeedMore WNY is building a new, unified facility at 4832 Camp Road in the Town of Hamburg. The new campus location is in the approximate geographic center of FeedMore WNY’s service area of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties.

Executive Mark Poloncarz announced $3 million in funding for construction of the new facility, with Erie County becoming the first local municipality to financially support the project. The funds were approved with bipartisan support from the Erie County Legislature.

“FeedMore WNY plays a direct role in providing critical nutrition to families, individuals and children across Erie County,” Poloncarz said. “Their engagement with our Erie County community extends beyond that lifesaving role into providing workforce development training and other ways to help people live their best lives countywide. Increasing their warehouse size in a new, centrally located facility will aid in expanding their outreach and building a healthier, stronger community. I thank the legislature for approving this funding and look forward to FeedMore’s growing role in Erie County.”

President and CEO Tara A. Ellis said, “FeedMore WNY is immensely grateful for the support and leadership of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and the Erie County Legislature. This significant contribution for the future home of FeedMore WNY demonstrates the county’s commitment to alleviating food insecurity in our community – today and for generations to come. FeedMore WNY has a longstanding relationship with Erie County to serve our community members and provide emergency assistance during times of need. As a partner of the Erie County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) network, FeedMore WNY works in lockstep with the county to mitigate, plan, respond and recover from a disaster. The county’s support of FeedMore WNY’s mission-critical facility project strengthens our partnership and our shared dedication to keeping our community healthy and safe. We hope Erie County’s contribution will inspire additional support from municipalities across our four-county service area.”

The 197,700-square-foot, centralized campus, situated on a 74-acre site, will nearly double FeedMore WNY’s warehouse space for its food bank distribution network and expand its commissary for the home-delivered meal program. The new facility also will offer more classroom and training spaces for FeedMore WNY’s free workforce development program, Readying Individuals for Success and Employment (RISE), include more growing spaces to provide more fresh produce for the community, and provide a repack area so FeedMore WNY can accept largescale food donations and safely repackage them in smaller quantities for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

With the funding from Erie County, more than $79 million has been raised through public and private contributions. With a total cost not to exceed $107 million, the public is urged to support this necessary project and strengthen our region’s nutritional safety net.

“FeedMore WNY always rises to meet the needs of the Western New York community, no matter the challenge. Now, it is our turn as a community to ensure that FeedMore WNY has the space and infrastructure needed to alleviate food insecurity and help our neighbors build brighter futures,” said Ann McCarthy, FeedMore WNY capital campaign co-chair.

More about FeedMore WNY

FeedMore WNY offers dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through its food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief agencies, as well as its home-delivered meal program, other targeted feeding programs and RISE workforce development training, FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. More information can be found at www.feedmorewny.org.