FeedMore WNY volunteers unload goods from the back of a truck.
(This article was also published in the 2026 Community Day newspaper.)
Support from the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties is helping FeedMore WNY continue its mission to provide food and support to neighbors facing hunger across Cattaraugus County.
Through the United Way-funded “Partners Fighting Hunger Cattaraugus” program,FeedMore WNY works with 30 partner agencies throughout the county, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and school-based programs. Together, these organizations help ensure local families have access to quality, nutrient-dense food during difficult times.
More than 10,950 Cattaraugus County residents relied on FeedMore WNY and its hunger-relief partners for food assistance last year – a 30 percent increase since 2021.
The need for emergency food assistance is significant as households continue to navigate inflation, the high cost of living, and changes in eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Though food insecurity has grown, FeedMore WNY is receiving significantly less funding for nutritious food from the federal government, with key programs having been sunset, canceled, or indefinitely paused.
FeedMore WNY noted that these challenges have placed additional strain on both the organization and its network of community partners.
Despite these obstacles, FeedMore WNY says the Western New York community has stepped up in meaningful ways. Individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the region have organized food and fund drives to support neighbors in need, helping FeedMore WNY and its partners continue serving local families during a time of urgent need.
Beyond food assistance, FeedMore WNY programs also provide nutrition education, social connection, free workforce development training, and referrals to additional community resources – helping strengthen community resiliency and support families facing hardship.
“There were times when I didn’t know what we would eat tomorrow. I’ve watered down soup to make it stretch, skipped meals so my kids could eat, and stood in pantry lines praying there’d be something safe for us. Those moments don’t leave you - they live in your chest and change the way you see people who are struggling now.
Hunger is not just a lack of food - it’s the loss of dignity, stability, and peace. It wears on the body and the mind. When people are hungry, nothing else feels possible - not recovery, not housing, not healing. FeedMore WNY brings more than food; you bring hope, compassion, and the message that people matter.
Thank you for your compassion, your work, and your commitment to feeding Western New York. You are giving people like us more than a meal - you are giving us hope,” said KM, a former FeedMore WNY client.
United Way donor support helps make FeedMore WNY’s services possible for thousands of residents across Cattaraugus County each year. To learn more, visit www.feedmorewny.org.
