Erie County Fair’s Opening Day Food Drive breaks record

The Erie County Fair’ Opening Day Food Drive brought in a record-breaking 153,124 lbs. of food for the Western New York community. On August 7, fairgoers received free admission to the Fair with four or more canned good donations for FeedMore WNY. This record-breaking food collection is an increase of 12,290 lbs. (8.72%) over the 140,834 lbs. collected in 2023. The Erie County Fair’s Opening Day Food Drive is the largest one-day summertime food drive for FeedMore WNY. The Erie County Fair and FeedMore WNY began the food drive in 2013.

“We are extremely grateful to our fairgoers for making such a significant contribution to help their neighbors in need,” said Jessica Underberg, CEO & Fair Manager of the Erie County Fair. “The Fair showcases so many community efforts, and this food drive is an integral part of why we do what we do. We carry great pride in partnering with FeedMore WNY each year to address the critical need for hunger relief in Western New York.”

“FeedMore WNY is deeply thankful for the amazing partnership of the Erie County Agricultural Society and our generous community members who made this food drive a phenomenal success. This is the third consecutive year that the Erie County Fair Opening Day Food Drive has been a record breaker – and these donations are coming in at a time of incredible need. FeedMore WNY has experienced a shortage of food donations this summer; the food collected through this drive is a welcome relief for us and our nearly 400 hunger-relief partners. All of these donations will be immediately sorted and distributed to our food pantries and agency partners throughout our four-county service area,” Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO, FeedMore WNY, said.

The Erie County Fair Opening Day Food Drive is supported by TOPS Friendly Markets and Five Star Bank.

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