President's Message

Now that we’re beyond the winter months, it’s important not to lose focus on those who go hungry every day. Recent statistics speak to the severe issue of hunger in our Western New York community. Findings from Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” study show that 180,440 people or 7.5 percent of the population in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara Counties are food insecure, meaning they do not always know where they will find their next meal.

These findings are staggering, yet not unforeseen. Studies such as Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” make our Food Bank pause and reflect on the work left to do—no matter what time of year.  It’s our motto to say that ‘hunger happens 365 days a year,’ and we repeat it because it’s reality.

Comparatively, last year 184,570 individuals were deemed food insecure, a 2.2 percent decrease.  While we are pleased to see the number of food insecure individuals decrease from last year, we are still alarmed by the large number of people who fall into this category. A staggering 101,264 individuals rely on our services each and every month and 39,356 are children, 2,244 are infants, and 9,406 are seniors. We believe that no one in our community should go hungry or try to survive without access to an adequate amount of healthy, nutritious food.

One of the avenues our Food Bank continues to fight hunger is through community fundraising events. This summer, consider the 6th annual “Walk Off Hunger” Saturday, July 28 as an opportunity to help your neighbors in need. Children 18 and younger are free and adult registration is just $15. So, I’d like to invite you to join us because although the incline to end hunger is steep, we’ll continue to climb.

Marylou Borowiak, President & CEO
& the Entire Staff of the Food Bank of Western New York