WNY Food 4 Paws awarded $10,000 grant from Bailey and Friends to provide cat food to pet owners facing food insecurity

Press Release 

WNY Food 4 Paws, a nonprofit addressing pet food insecurity in Western New York, is honored to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from Bailey and Friends, a trust component of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase dry cat food for distribution through 33 food and pet pantry partners across the region, helping vulnerable families keep their pets healthy, fed, and at home.

“We are grateful to Bailey and Friends for this generous grant, which allows us to respond to the growing need for pet food assistance in our communities,” said Jackie Blachowski, president of WNY Food 4 Paws. “This support will make a direct impact by reducing pet surrenders due to financial hardship and strengthening the human-animal bond for families facing tough times.”

Across Western New York, many individuals struggling with food insecurity are also challenged to care for their companion animals. According to national data, over 50% of pet owners experiencing food insecurity consider surrendering their pets due to affordability concerns. WNY Food 4 Paws’ mission is to ensure no one has to make that heartbreaking choice. This grant from Bailey and Friends comes at a critical time, allowing WNY Food 4 Paws to restock shelves with much-needed dry cat food and expand its reach.

“We commend WNY Food 4 Paws for their compassionate efforts to keep pets and families together,” said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation. “No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pets. This program helps to ensure families can continue to care for their animals with dignity and compassion.”

WNY Food 4 Paws has served pet owners since 2022, partnering with human service providers, food pantries, pet food pantries, and animal welfare organizations to distribute pet food and supplies to those in need. The organization has helped thousands of families retain their pets and continues to grow through cross-sector collaboration and community engagement.

For more information or to support the work of WNY Food 4 Paws, visit www.food4paws.org or email wnyfood4paws@gmail.com.

More about WNY Food 4 Paws

WNY Food 4 Paws is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families facing financial hardship by ensuring they have access to pet food and essential supplies. We work in partnership with food pantries and pet food pantries across Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties to keep pets and their families together during times of crisis.

Through collaboration with pet food manufacturers, supply stores, grocery retailers and community partners, WNY Food 4 Paws sources and redistributes pet food and supplies to a network of trusted distribution sites. Our mission is to empower local pantries with the resources they need to help families care for their pets, preventing unnecessary animal surrenders and preserving the human-animal bond.

More about Bailey and Friends

Bailey and Friends is dedicated to supporting animal welfare in Western New York and Southwest Florida with a focus on dogs and cats. It works with shelters, rescue groups, veterinary clinics, and other lifesaving programs to promote wellness, ensure safety and keep pets and families together. It is a trust component of the Golisano Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Golisano Foundation was established in 1985 by Tom Golisano – entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of Paychex Inc. For more information, visit https://www.golisanofoundation.org/Bailey-and-Friends.aspx.