September 15, 2020

Independent Health Foundation & Buffalo Bills Foundation partner to collect 20 tons of food for 2020 to benefit FeedMore WNY. With the growing need of food insecurity in our community, let’s Huddle for Hunger!

Join Buffalo Bills Legends, including Jim Kelly, in partnership with Independent Health Foundation, Buffalo Bills Foundation and Channel 4 for the Huddle for Hunger Food Drive to benefit FeedMore WNY at the Bills Stadium on Friday, September 18 from 4 – 8 pm and Saturday, September 19from 12 – 4 pm. Huddle for Hunger masks will be given to the first 5,000 donors at the stadium. Limit two per car.

“Barriers to nutritious food have been a concern for children throughout Western New York, even before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carrie Meyer, Executive Director, Independent Health Foundation. “We’re grateful for the partners like the Buffalo Bills Foundation and FeedMore WNY as we work to address food insecurity for families in our community.”

With the goal of collecting 20 tons for 2020, food and other items will be collected to support FeedMore WNY’s childhood feeding programs. Donations of any shelf stable products will be accepted, specific items in need include:

• Peanut Butter (16-ounce plastic jars)
• Macaroni and Cheese (6-ounce box)
• Oatmeal (individual sized packets)
• Tomato Sauce (15-ounce cans, low sodium)
• Canned Vegetables (15-ounce cans, any variety, low sodium)
• Canned Fruits (15-ounce cans, any variety, canned in juice or water)
• Canned Chicken or Tuna (5-ounce cans, canned in water)
• Diapers
• Baby Wipes

“There are thousands of children in our community who have to experience food insecurity every day,” said Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Bills Foundation. “Our Foundation is focused on addressing childhood food insecurity during this very difficult time. Our team has worked hard with FeedMore, the Independent Health Foundation and WIVB to create this drive that will help thousands of community members who struggle to get consistent access to healthy food. We encourage all who can to help by donating.”

Donors can enter this COVID-19 safe food drive by car off Abbott Road. Signage will direct donors on how to proceed through the Bills Stadium parking lot.

Donations may also be made virtually.

“More than 79,500 children in FeedMore WNY’s service area may be at risk of hunger in 2020 because of the COVID-19 health crisis. At FeedMore WNY, we work tirelessly to help ensure no child – or community member of any age – has to struggle with hunger. We are grateful to the Independent Health Foundation, the Buffalo Bills Foundation and WIVB-TV News 4 for holding ‘Huddle for Hunger’ to provide nourishing food to children and families in need throughout Western New York,” Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY, said.

FeedMore WNY’s services include youth-related programs to support children and their families in Western New York in need of both healthy and accessible meals. FeedMore WNY’s BackPack Program, designated baby needs pantries as well as high school and college food pantries provide nutritious food and support to those who need assistance.

FeedMore WNY provides nutritious food and support to hungry community members of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The nonprofit continues to seek food and funding donations and volunteers to continue its pandemic response. Before the pandemic, as many as 135,000 individuals in any given month relied on FeedMore WNY’s services. Since March, thousands more people have been reaching out for food assistance due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

For more information or to help, please call FeedMore WNY at (716) 822-2002 or at (716) 852-1305 or visit www.feedmorewny.org for more information.

Established in 1992, the Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, education, and other programs focused on community health priorities. For more information on the Foundation’s activities, visit the Independent Health Foundation page.