FeedMore WNY sees increase in individuals seeking food assistance

Number of people served by FeedMore WNY increases 46% over 3 years

FeedMore WNY Press Release

As food insecurity continues to rise, FeedMore WNY saw a 16% increase in the number of people who rely on the hunger-relief nonprofit for nutritious food and critical services. In 2024, FeedMore WNY assisted 165,722 individuals. Of the total number of people served, nearly 53,400 were children and more than 41,200 were older adults. Last year, FeedMore WNY distributed more than 15.8 million pounds of food through its food bank distribution network to food pantries, soup kitchens, schools and other hunger-relief partners; and provided nearly 1.5 million meals to its home-delivered meal clients, community dining sites and additional meal contracts.

The number of people seeking assistance from FeedMore WNY has continued to trend upward in recent years. In fact, FeedMore WNY experienced a 46% increase in people served since 2021 (excluding the organization’s emergency response after the tragic shooting May 14, 2022). The baseline for FeedMore WNY’s annual service numbers is now approaching the levels the organization has only seen when responding to a major disaster, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our recent data confirms that food insecurity remains a pervasive and growing problem throughout the urban, suburban and rural communities of our four-county service area of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The pandemic-era benefits that provided relief for countless individuals across Western New York and throughout the country have ended, while the cost of living remains high. As a result, more community members are turning to FeedMore WNY and our hunger-relief partners to help make ends meet,” said Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY. “The rising need for food assistance throughout Western New York is one of the many reasons that FeedMore WNY is in critical need of a larger, unified headquarters. We look forward to the completion of our new campus to have the needed capacity and infrastructure to better serve our food-insecure neighbors today and for generations to come.”

To learn more about the future home of FeedMore WNY, or to get involved in FeedMore WNY’s mission as a donor or volunteer, visit www.feedmorewny.org.

More about FeedMore WNY

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. More information is available at www.feedmorewny.org.