FeedMore WNY receives grant from Xylem Watermark to aid in COVID-19 response

As FeedMore WNY continues to respond to the increased levels of need for food assistance in the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is pleased to announce that a grant will aid the hunger-relief organization in its mission. Xylem Watermark, the corporate social responsibility program of the global water technology company Xylem Inc., has partnered with Mulcare and National Fuel to award the grant to help FeedMore WNY assemble and distribute nearly 350 emergency food kits to those in need and 1,500 bags of nutritious food to hungry children served through its BackPack Program. Mulcare and National Fuel also plan to volunteer with FeedMore WNY to assist with the distribution of emergency food kits and BackPack Program food to those in need.

“We feel privileged to be working with our partners Mulcare and National Fuel to get additional resources into the hands of FeedMore WNY,” Joe Vesey, Xylem’s chief marketing officer and chair of Xylem Watermark, said. “Making sure kids don’t go hungry is essential to helping communities in Western New York be more resilient in the face of this pandemic.”

FeedMore WNY is working tirelessly to ensure vulnerable children, families and older adults in the community do not go hungry during the pandemic. The nonprofit has been distributing emergency food kits to its partner agencies and through its mobile food distributions throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. The emergency food kits are composed of shelf-stable, nutritious food from a variety of food groups including grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables. Each kit contains a nine-meal supply. Since March 16, FeedMore WNY has distributed more than 47,000 emergency food kits to those in need.

FeedMore WNY’s BackPack Program provides nutritious, kid-friendly and easy-to-prepare food to hungry children throughout its four-county service area. During the pandemic, the hunger-relief organization has been working in tandem with area schools and local agencies to distribute BackPack Program food to children in need. FeedMore WNY has distributed more than 51,000 BackPack Program bags of food since mid March.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the Western New York community, and we know that so many of our neighbors will continue to face financial hardship and food insecurity for months to come. Tragically, more than 223,000 individuals in FeedMore WNY’s four-county service area are expected to face hunger in 2020 because of the pandemic,” Tara A. Ellis, FeedMore WNY president and CEO, said. “FeedMore WNY remains committed to doing everything in our power to assist our hungry community members. We are grateful to Xylem Watermark, Mulcare and National Fuel for making this grant possible. Their support will allow us to distribute more nutritious food to those who need it most.”