Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Liryc Lewis. I am from Rochester, N.Y. and attend the University at Buffalo majoring in Psychology. I plan on going into nursing after I graduate to ultimately obtain my doctorate degree to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

What led you to begin volunteering with FeedMore WNY?

Service has always been a passion of mine. I had numerous service awards and leadership positions throughout middle school and high school. I facilitated group service projects and got others excited about giving back to the community. When I started at the University at Buffalo, I was thrilled about all the service opportunities. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit shortly after. When coming back on campus this fall and with restrictions lifting, I knew that I wanted to get involved with the Buffalo community and provide service to those in need.

According to the New York State Community Action Association’s 2020 Poverty Report, more than 30 percent of the City of Buffalo population is living in poverty. The poverty rate for African Americans in the City of Buffalo is 36 percent. The pandemic has only exacerbated poverty and food insecurity in our area. In fact, as many as one in six people in FeedMore WNY’s four-county service area may be currently struggling with hunger.

FeedMore WNY stood out to me because it combats this issue head on. In 2020, serving nearly 16 million meals, FeedMore WNY helped tackle hunger in Western New York. I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution.

What would you say to others who may be considering volunteering?

Volunteering connects you to others. It gives you a sense of purpose, and it gives you the chance to directly help those in your community. If you want change, be a part of that change!