Governor Cuomo Encourages New Yorkers to Donate to Anti-Hunger Organizations Aiding Western New York Recovery

Press Release

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today is encouraging New Yorkers interested in helping victims of the recent Western New York snow storm to give cash donations to local anti-hunger charitable organizations as the holiday season approaches. A number of charities, like the Food Bank of Western New York and Meals on Wheels for Western New York, are providing meals to the regions in Erie County affected by the major lake-effect storm, and New Yorkers wishing to make financial contributions to aid recovery efforts are suggested to do so through such organizations.

"New Yorkers have always come together in times of need, and this year is no different," Governor Cuomo said. "I saw firsthand that spirit of community in the Buffalo area as residents and neighbors helped each other dig out from last week's major snowstorm, and I encourage all New Yorkers to continue supporting them through this holiday season."

Since the storm hit, the Food Bank of Western New York and Meals on Wheels for Western New York have been targeting their efforts on disaster relief:

Food Bank of Western New York is the key source of food for most local food banks and pantries, providing donated and some purchased foods to soup kitchens and pantries throughout the region. The organization has about 320 members, including City Mission Society, St. Vincent DePaul Dining Room, and chapters of Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army, that rely on it for food to distribute to those in need. To make a donation online, visit http://foodbankwny.net/donatetofoodbank.html. To mail a donation, send to:

Food Bank of Western New York
91 Holt St.
Buffalo, NY 14206
Make checks payable to the Food Bank of Western New York.

Meals on Wheels for Western New York serves over 900,000 meals each year along more than 200 service routes to homebound individuals, often seniors and disabled individuals. In addition to providing nutritious food, the organization does safety checks of each home they serve when delivering meals. To make a donation online, visit https://mealsonwheelswny.org/donate. To mail a donation, send to:

Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York
100 James E. Casey Drive
Buffalo, NY 14206
Make checks payable to the Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York.

Last week, communities in Western New York were hit by a major lake-effect snow storm, leaving neighborhoods with more than seven feet of snow and the threat of severe flooding as temperatures drastically rose, causing the snow to melt. During the storm, residents were stranded in their homes, unable to access nearby grocery stores and other convenience shops for food.

During the ongoing recovery and cleanup, charitable organizations like the two listed above are providing aid to storm victims who do not have access to necessary resources.

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