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

FeedMore WNY Press Release

Government officials and community partners will join FeedMore WNY to deliver nutritious meals to older adults and neighbors who are homebound during FeedMore WNY’s “March for Meals” week, March 17-21. The weeklong event is part of a national campaign to spread awareness about 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 residents of Erie and Niagara counties who cannot shop for or prepare food. All meals are prepared fresh each day in FeedMore WNY’s commissary.

In addition to delivering nutritious meals to older adults and people living with disabilities, FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program volunteers offer a friendly greeting and well-being check to combat social isolation and loneliness. In 2024, FeedMore WNY created and delivered nearly 1.5 million meals to neighbors through its prepared meals services.

“We are grateful for all the community leaders who are volunteering and helping us raise awareness about the critical importance of Meals on Wheels programs during March for Meals week,” said Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY. “FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program provides nourishing meals and vital friendship to older adults and people who are homebound to alleviate food insecurity and loneliness. We hope that ‘March for Meals’ inspires more community members to become volunteers – as more and more neighbors continue to rely on our services, home-delivered meal volunteers have become one of FeedMore WNY’s most urgent needs.”

FeedMore WNY’s “March for Meals” week and national awareness efforts commemorate the historic day in March of 1972 when the Older Americans Act was amended to include a nutrition program for Americans 60 years and older. More than 50 years later, 13 million older Americans are still threatened by or experience hunger, and 91% of Meals on Wheels participants nationwide say the services help them live independently. That is why Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces to raise awareness and support to ensure we can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence and improve health for decades to come.

The following government officials are scheduled to participate in “March for Meals” as of the time of this release:

Monday, March 17:

√ Amanda Bender, deputy commissioner of Erie County Senior Services

Kevin Peterson, Village of Depew mayor

Austin J. Tylec, City of North Tonawanda mayor

Tuesday, March 18:

√ Lawrence Dupre, Erie County legislator

√ Joel Feroleto, City of Buffalo Common Council member

√ Lindsay Lorigo, Erie County legislator

√ The Office of NYS Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes

Wednesday, March 19:

√ Robert Restaino, City of Niagara Falls mayor

√ David Rivera, City of Buffalo Common Council member

√ Randy Hoak, commissioner of Erie County Senior Services

Thursday, March 20:

√ Christopher Scanlon, City of Buffalo Mayor

√ Jason Keding, Town of Boston Supervisor

√ The Office of New York State Assembly member Jon Rivera

Friday, March 21:

√ William Conrad, New York State Assembly member

√ Gary Dickson, Town of West Seneca supervisor

√ Amelia Greenan, Town of West Seneca deputy supervisor

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 is available at www.feedmorewny.org.