Kelsey Boudin

Olean Food Pantry announced our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign with much excitement almost one full month ago. BIG figures aren’t thrown around too often in this area’s nonprofit community – at least not with volunteer-run organizations like ours. 

Having seen a 95.4% increase in food pantry clients the last three years, we knew the time had come to make a BIG push for the financial support and resources OFP needs to fight hunger at the source. The local and regional media quickly embraced the energy, providing a welcome public relations splash to promote the cause and raise awareness for severe community need. 

Since that initial announcement, we’ve received numerous questions about the fundraising campaign. We’ve addressed some of them here. 

Q: What is the Goal of OFP’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign?

A: 10 Years of Stocked Shelves

The goal of the $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is to create a future where fewer people must rely on food pantries. But that day isn’t here yet. To get there, we must attend to current hunger needs while building the capacity to solve systemic issues that cause food insecurity.  Anticipating a 3% increase year-over-year in food purchases due to inflation, we would need $1 million to stock our shelves for the next 10 years. 

Q: How Would 10 Years of Stocked Shelves Solve Systemic Hunger Issues?

A: Shifting Focus & Aligning Priorities

Stocking shelves for the next decade will alleviate the near-constant burden of securing food and supplies for the next distribution day. In turn, OFP will devote resources to form collaborations, build programs, provide education and direct pantry visitors to other resources addressing root causes of hunger. 

Q: Why Do Cash Donations Make a Bigger Difference?

A: Cash Donations Purchase 66% MORE Food

While donations of food and household supplies are welcome, they don’t go as far as cash donations. Thanks to preferred nonprofit rates, Olean Food Pantry can actually purchase 66% MORE food with cash than we can acquire through nonperishable donations alone. That means a $10 donation ultimately purchases $16.60 worth of food.

That said, donations of every size plays a vital role in combating food insecurity and promoting community resilience. How do you donate to the Olean Food Pantry $1 Million Fundraising Campaign? Click here to get started!

Q: What are the Root Causes of Hunger in Western New York?

A: Poverty & Lacking Resources

Poverty is a root cause of hunger, but that alone doesn’t fully explain its dramatic increase in our communities. Poverty creates a cycle of financial hardship that makes it difficult for individuals to afford nutritious food consistently. 

Limited access to resources such as transportation, affordable housing and job-placement services leaves individuals and families without easy solutions. Additionally, lacking education about nutrition and healthy eating leads to poor health outcomes that make emerging from food insecurity more difficult.

Q: What Community Partnerships Will Emerge from this Campaign?

A: A Network of Poverty-Related Services

Despite best efforts today, too many community resources in Western New York operate in silos. That creates an environment in which people access one resource while lacking awareness for others. 

We treasure our current partnerships with organizations like FeedMore WNY and Canticle Farm, as well as local farmers and grocers. With greater funding, we can invest more in building a network of support with other food providers, poverty-related services, workplace training organizations, and other resources for physical and mental health. Collaborations will facilitate access to an array of services addressing not just hunger but other underlying issues.

Q: Where Will Funding for this Campaign Come From?

A: Diverse Revenue Sources

We’re strategically tapping four revenue streams to ensure a well-rounded funding approach: 

• Major gift donors ($450,000)
• Grants ($450,000)
• Corporate sponsorships ($50,000)
• Individual donations ($50,000)

Spreading our fundraising efforts across various channels maximizes support and minimizes the burden on any single source. It creates more chances for big and small wins in the fight against food insecurity.

Q: How Will this OFP Fundraiser Build Community Resilience?

A: Neighbors Helping Neighbors 

By securing resources for the next 10 years, we’re laying the groundwork for a more resilient future by taking ownership of the local hunger issue – as it’s uniquely experienced here. After so many decades serving our friends and neighbors, it’s clear that top-down approaches will not win the War on Hunger. 

Solutions must be driven locally by people who know and understand distinct community needs. This grassroots effort paves the way for community-driven hunger solutions on a national scale. 

Q: What Innovative Solutions Will Be Implemented?

A: We Can Do More Than Provide Food

For years, Olean Food Pantry’s mission has been to provide food for people in need. While serving record numbers of people today might seem like a win, service itself isn’t addressing the reasons people seek our help. Our vision is for people not to be hungry in the first place – ironically enough, a world where OFP doesn’t NEED to exist. 

Our fundraiser will enable us to expand beyond traditional food distribution and drive innovative solutions for those in need. By building collaborations and facilitating access to resources like mental health counseling, employment assistance and financial literacy programs, we can address the underlying causes of hunger and empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.

Q: Who are the People Affected by Hunger in Western New York?

A: Diverse Individuals Facing Various Challenges

Hunger in Western New York doesn’t fit a stereotypical image of poverty. It affects a diverse range of individuals, including those who have recently lost their jobs, single parents struggling to make ends meet, individuals in addiction recovery, and others who find themselves in unexpected circumstances. 

It’s crucial to recognize that hunger can impact anyone, regardless of their background. Approximately 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck from becoming food insecure. This fundraising campaign gives us the financial firepower not only to serve these individuals today, but to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their plight to improve resources tomorrow.

Q: How Do Corporate Sponsorships Benefit the Campaign?

A: Corporate Responsibility & Spreading Awareness

Our local businesses and organizations already do heroic work in our communities by providing employment for the masses. We understand the business climate doesn’t leave much for corporate charity. That said, we invite the business community to give in corporate sponsorship to help cover a sizable $50,000 chunk of our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.

Just as importantly, business participation helps generate buzz around the mission while demonstrating their commitment to social responsibility. To inquire about corporate sponsorships, email oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com. 

OLEAN, NY (March 27, 2024) – Get ready to move your feet and make a difference. The Olean Food Pantry is partnering with Neighborhood School of Dance for the upcoming Movin’ Feet 4 the Food Pantry Dance-A-Thon – a fun-filled event to support the fight against local food insecurity.

The Dance-A-Thon will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at NSD’s 609 S. Union St. studio in Olean. It promises an evening of energetic dancing, joyous music and heartfelt giving, organizers said. 

“This Easter break, give your kids an opportunity to have a blast while making a meaningful impact in our community,” said NSD owner and CEO Brittany Thierman. “For a $25 donation to the Olean Food Pantry, kids can dance their hearts out and show off their best moves, all while supporting OFP’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign. Don’t worry about snacks. We’ve got that covered, ensuring they’ll have plenty of energy to keep movin’ and groovin’ through the night.”

To register for the Movin’ Feet 4 the Food Pantry Dance-A-Thon, visit www.nsd.dance/register. For those who can’t attend, donations to OFP’s fundraising campaign can be made at https://oleanfoodpantry.org/donate/. 

While the Dance-A-Thon will be a lighthearted event for a good cause, the community need behind it is serious. The Olean Food Pantry recently launched its $1 Million Fundraising Campaign in response to a 95.4% increase in pantry clients the last three years. According to new OFP Board President David Potter, the pantry is routinely serving record numbers of individuals and families on distribution days.

“We’re overjoyed to be able to provide free food and resources to so many in need,” Potter said, “but service alone isn’t winning the war on hunger. The crux of our fundraising campaign is to build our capacity to serve immediate needs, stock our shelves for the next 10 years, and buy time to resolve systemic issues that cause hunger in the first place.” 

Cash donations allow Olean Food Pantry to purchase 66% more food from community partners than by nonperishable food donations alone, Potter said. Priority areas for funding also include building new programs with community partners to help lift families from poverty, providing nutrition education, and improving community outreach. For more information about the Olean Food Pantry, visit www.oleanfoodpantry.org.

About Olean Food Pantry: Olean Food Pantry is celebrating 70 years of service to the greater Olean area. OFP began in 1954 when a small women’s group from Bethany Lutheran church started providing food to people referred to them by Social Services. In the 1970s and ’80s, these needs were handled on an on-call basis. In 1989, Bethany Food Pantry was reorganized under the Greater Olean Association of Churches, an ecumenical board was formed and the first OFP director was named. In August 2004, the Olean Food Pantry became Olean Food Pantry, Inc. and is now a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Through the generosity of the community and Bethany Lutheran Church, Olean Food Pantry, Inc. now resides at 8 Leo Moss Drive in a new building dedicated Sept. 15, 2007.

About Neighborhood School of Dance: Neighborhood School of Dance was founded in 1976. The program encourages all dancers to experience and enjoy various dance styles as they develop the necessary skills to become a talented dancer. Under guidance from experienced instructors, NSD offers quality training, exciting choreography and entertaining recitals to develop and refine dance proficiencies. Owner Brittany Thierman, who began attending Neighborhood School of Dance in kindergarten, purchased the dance school in 2013. The Elmira College and St. Bonaventure University graduate has attended dance schools including Center Stage Dance Studio in Buffalo, Broadway Dance Center & Steps on Broadway in New York City, and a program in Rome, Italy. She’s certified from the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School in Buffalo.)

In response to the meteoric rise in Olean Food Pantry clientele in recent years, we are proud to announce our $1 million fundraising campaign. When successful, OFP will be able to sustain food distribution efforts for the next decade while addressing our little corner of the alarming rise of food insecurity in America.

It’s a monumental step forward in feeding our communities and addressing root causes of hunger. As Olean Food Pantry celebrates our 70th anniversary serving the greater Olean, NY area, this new campaign looks to build sustainability and engage our communities to address the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger.

Why the urgency? Why the large sum? Because we’ve seen a 95.4% increase in food pantry usage the last three years. 

Here’s our justification and call to action: DONATE TODAY!  

Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign: A Vision for a Resilient Future

You’d think local hunger wouldn’t be an issue compared to other areas. We live in quaint communities that aren’t exactly the picture of homelessness and squalor that define struggling urban and third-world populations. 

But the reality is, poverty and hunger are experienced in distinct ways, community by community. Hunger hides in plain sight here in Western New York. 

They’re friends, neighbors and even family, who may or may not live in generational poverty. In our struggling economy, they may have just lost a job. Roughly 40% of Americans are just one missed paycheck away from falling into food insecurity. Inflation alone is making groceries unaffordable for many. 

Olean Food Pantry has long stood at the forefront of the war on hunger, providing vital support to individuals and families facing hunger. 

Providing Food & Addressing Systemic Issues

Managed correctly, any strong nonprofit organization should have a vision where its services are no longer needed. Consistently serving record numbers of individuals and families each month – over 40,000 people since January 2022 – we have distribution down to a science. But feeding people does nothing to address the reasons they’re struggling in the first place.  

The Olean Food Pantry’s $1 million fundraising campaign is not just a financial goal. It’s a visionary roadmap toward a future where our Western New York communities thrive without the specter of hunger. Donor support will be the bedrock for the Olean Food Pantry to provide 10 years’ worth of food to our neighbors in need. 

As the numbers of those seeking food assistance continue to rise dramatically, we find ourselves confronting an evolving challenge — one that requires major systemic changes and community collaborations that, unfortunately, do not yet exist.

Addressing Systemic Hunger Issues Through Collaboration

Meaningful change requires time, collaboration and resources. This $1 million campaign will empower the Olean Food Pantry to grow community partnerships to focus on those systemic challenges without the immediate pressure of meeting the demand for food assistance.

We treasure our current relationships with organizations like FeedMore WNY, Canticle Farm, local grocers and others. But it’s clear WE CAN DO MORE and BUILD ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS that do more than just distribute food. 

Maintaining Local Control: A Vital Commitment

Your donation to the Olean Food Pantry is an investment in local solutions for local challenges. Large contract agreements with food distributors often dictate service models and restrict distributions to certain people. But your support allows us autonomy to tailor community-centric approaches.

We know the people we serve. We know their struggles. 

Our campaign aims to accrue major gifts and individual donations to maintain local control over food distribution and facility improvements needed to provide better service.

The Blueprint for $1 Million

As we embark on our ambitious $1 million fundraising campaign, we want to provide you with a transparent and detailed look at how these funds will be raised and allocated. Here’s a breakdown of our fundraising strategy:

Major Gifts: The Catalyst for Impact

A cornerstone of our strategy is engaging major gift donors for $450,000. These are wealthy individuals in our communities and across the country with an interest in food insecurity. They have the financial clout to fuel nonprofit missions. We are actively nurturing relationships with philanthropists, community leaders and others passionate about making a difference for future generations. 

Grant Funds: Matching Your Generosity

To bolster our major gifts, Olean Food Pantry is committed to pursuing matching grants totaling another $450,000. This strategic approach allows us to maximize the impact of every donation, leveraging funds from foundations, charitable trusts and government resources to support our mission. Your generosity, combined with these matching grants, will amplify the overall success of the campaign to end food insecurity.

Individual & Corporate Donations: The Community’s Contribution

Community strength lies in unity. While we intend on shouldering most of the fundraising burden, we’re calling on our local communities to chip in what they can. The remaining $100,000 needed for our $1 million campaign will come from individual and corporate donations. We are actively appealing to individuals who are passionate about eradicating hunger, as well as corporations that understand the importance of investing in local solutions.

Join Us in Nourishing Our Community: Give to Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign Today

We invite you to stand with us in nourishing the Greater Olean area. Remember: cash donations allow us to purchase 66% MORE FOOD than nonperishable donations alone.

Together, we can create a community where no one goes to bed hungry, where systemic issues are addressed, and where resilience and vibrancy define our shared future.

Visit our donation page, share our campaign with your network, and become a beacon of hope for those in need. Your contribution – no matter how big or small – makes a meaningful impact. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in the power of community.

We’ve become accustomed to seeing more and MORE people visiting the Olean Food Pantry for sustenance in recent years. In 2024, it seems like each week we’re approaching or setting record-breaking numbers of individuals and families served. Increasing community need calls for a better understanding of the consequences of hunger. The most severe? Food insecurity and poor health.

They go hand in hand. It makes sense, right? If you can’t eat regularly – and healthily – your body isn’t receiving anywhere near the volume of nutrients needed to function. Physical health deteriorates. Mental health falters. The ability to perform well at work or school to improve life outcomes diminishes.

(Related reading: The Hidden Consequences of Food Insecurity for Children.)

Poverty is the underlying reason for widespread hunger in our communities. Food is fuel. Without it, individuals and families can’t lift themselves from poverty. Generational poverty and hunger result. It’s a vicious cycle. A recent study by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York (HFWCNY) sheds light on the poverty-related health realities faced by the communities we serve. In this blog, we discuss those food insecurity and poor health issues and issue a call for community support.

The Landscape of Food Insecurity & Poor Health in the Olean Area

Our counties here at the northernmost tip of Appalachia grapple with the highest poverty rates in New York state. The impact of poverty on health is undeniable, creating a complex web of challenges beyond economic struggles. HFWCNY’s study explores the intersection of these issues, where poverty not only limits access to essential resources like healthcare and transportation, but also compromises the ability to secure nourishing food.

In the Southern Tier, high rates of food insecurity have led to a dramatic increase in local food pantry clients the last three years. While we’re committed to serving their pressing food needs in the moment, solving the hunger issue once and for all is our overarching goal. We envision a community – and world – where food pantries are no longer needed.

We’re not there yet. So let’s work TOGETHER toward a true understanding of poverty, hunger and poor health to develop proactive solutions.

The Poverty Trap: Health Implications of Food Insecurity in Olean, NY

Poor health makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to find and maintain employment, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Hunger directly causes a variety of health issues that make surviving and thriving difficult. See how the following hunger-related health problems can build upon each other to make matters worse: 

• Malnutrition: Limited access to a diverse and nutritious diet can lead to malnutrition, impacting physical and cognitive processes.
• Compromised Immune System: Inadequate nutrition weakens the immune system, leaving people more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
• Increased Chronic Conditions: Food insecurity is linked to the development and progression of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
• Mental Health Challenges: The stress and anxiety associated with hunger contribute to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders.
• Developmental Delays in Children: Children facing food insecurity may suffer from developmental delays and struggle academically.

And those are just SOME of the potential struggles from food insecurity and poor health.

Breaking the Cycle: Olean Food Pantry’s Commitment

This scale of improvement requires a community-wide devotion to collaboration and advocacy. But just as the HFWCNY report applauds community organizations for working together and making progress, it notes many areas (including poverty and hunger) left underserved.

As we navigate the sensitive landscape of food insecurity and poor health, the Olean Food Pantry remains committed to doing our part to break the cycle. By giving not just sustenance, but also providing education and fostering a sense of community and support, we aim to address the root causes of hunger and improve the overall well-being of our friends and neighbors. We acknowledge the challenges are immense, requiring collaborative efforts from the community, local organizations and public sector support.

Your cash donation today allows Olean Food Pantry to purchase 66% MORE FOOD than receiving nonperishable food donations alone. (Of course, food donations would never be turned away.) Together, let us work towards a future where the cycle of food insecurity and poor health is replaced with one of nourishment, resilience and vibrancy for every member of our communities.

That always seems to be the lofty goal, right? End some big issue by the end of the decade. Those who profess themselves to be changemakers on a global scale always seem to kick the can a decade into the future – ending global food insecurity is no different – so the goals inevitably won’t be met and the world can focus on the next decade.

(Don’t believe us? There was most certainly an Ending Global Food Insecurity by 1980 campaign, too.)

Yet we’re still here, fighting the good fight. Here at the Olean Food Pantry, ending global food insecurity by ourselves is beyond our reach. But we try – and we try hard – to address hunger in our own communities. That’s the key. Rather than a top-down approach requiring massive amounts of systemic change coordinated amongst hundreds of nations, a bottom-up approach making incremental changes one community at a time is the only feasible solution.

Viewed through a small, local lens, the challenges to ending global hunger appear less daunting. In this blog, we address those complexities expressed in a report by the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and offer some proactive solutions.

Ending Global Food Insecurity Begins Community By Community

Changing can come only by a culmination of a multitude of grassroots efforts. One community becomes 10, which becomes 100, which becomes 1,000 – and so on. The blueprint for successfully addressing hunger on a large scale echoes impactful approaches championed by small community organizations just like the Olean Food Pantry, emphasizing the profound change that can be achieved when communities come together.

1. Global Population Surge

The exponential growth in the world’s population, set to eclipse 10 billion by 2050, necessitates localized solutions. Community-based initiatives are crucial to adapting food production and distribution methods specific to challenges presented by urbanization and shifting demographics.

Communities themselves must organize to develop sustainable agricultural practices. By fostering local farming initiatives and community-supported agriculture programs, both urban and rural areas can ensure food self-sufficiency. Additionally, empowering communities with education on resource efficiency and supporting local farmers through incentives will create a more resilient food system capable of withstanding the demands of a burgeoning global population.

2. Bridging the Financial Gap

To eliminate hunger by 2030, the UN says an additional $265 billion per year would be required. But entire nations couldn’t possibly throw money in the pot and say, “Mission accomplished!” 

Strategic investment at the grassroots level eliminates wasteful spending and stretches the dollar further. At the Olean Food Pantry, cash donations allow us to purchase 66% MORE food than by nonperishable donations alone. Beyond relying solely on government aid or large-scale international funding, fostering local philanthropy is paramount in encouraging individuals and businesses to invest in community-based initiatives. 

3. Tailoring Solutions for Hunger Hotspots

Persistent hunger hotspots demand targeted, community-centric solutions. Local organizations, intimately acquainted with the specific needs of their communities, play a pivotal role in addressing the root causes of hunger. As we always say, we KNOW the people we serve. We understand their struggles and the distinct socioeconomic difficulties they face daily.

Building a comprehensive network of local initiatives involves collaboration among community leaders, nonprofits, government bodies, wealthy philanthropists and average donors alike. By harnessing local knowledge and expertise, these initiatives can implement sustainable solutions that address the nuanced causes of food insecurity, ranging from economic disparities to environmental realities. 

It’ll take the synergy of local insight, collaborative action and tailored interventions to overcome barriers to ending global food insecurity.

4. Agricultural Expansion & Deforestation

This concept may seem foreign to people in our rural Western New York communities, where forests and agricultural tradition abound. But the climate crisis, urbanization and deforestation threaten ecosystems everywhere. We rely on those ecosystems to produce stable crops each year.  

Local farmers must stand with environmentalists and policymakers to establish guidelines that encourage agricultural growth without compromising environmental integrity. One approach is to promote and implement agroforestry practices, integrating trees and crops on the same land. This not only enhances biodiversity, but also contributes to soil health and water conservation.

By fostering a shared understanding of the delicate balance between agricultural needs and ecological sustainability, communities can work toward solutions that not only address immediate food security concerns but also ensure the long-term health of the planet. 

5. Agriculture-Related Water Scarcity

If you haven’t guessed, so many of the practices meant to improve the cultivation of food can actually threaten sustainability. Agriculture consumes 70% of global freshwater resources. Local communities must adopt sustainable water management practices. Initiatives at the grassroots level can alleviate water scarcity, ensuring the equitable distribution of this precious resource.

Additionally, fostering collaborations between communities, agricultural experts and water resource management authorities is essential. A proactive approach not only addresses immediate challenges, but also establishes a foundation for resilient agricultural systems that can withstand future uncertainties related to water availability. 

6. Preventing Land Degradation

Land degradation affects one-third of farmlands globally, threatening the ongoing production of food resources and representing a significant challenge to ending global food insecurity. Addressing this demands a nuanced understanding of local conditions and sustainable farming practices to restore and protect local lands. Adopting agro-ecological methods like cover cropping and agroforestry improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. 

Local communities can engage in reforestation projects, creating green belts that act as natural barriers against land degradation. Furthermore, educational programs focused on sustainable land management can empower farmers to implement practices that regenerate soil health.

7. Eliminating Carbon Emissions

Once again, industrial processes for the mass production of food can cause more damage than good. Reducing global-warming causing emissions from agriculture should be a top priority at local and regional levels. Communities can become advocates for environmentally friendly farming, leading the way in mitigating our carbon footprint.

Additional agro-ecological methods like precision and organic farming can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, community-led initiatives can promote the use of renewable energy sources in farming operations, transitioning away from conventional methods. Educational programs within local communities can raise awareness about the environmental impact of various farming techniques, encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices. 

8. Developing Climate-Smart Practices

The uncertainties of climate change should give us all pause to consider the resilience of local food systems. While attempting to slow – or stop – climate change, we must also factor the importance of climate-smart agricultural practices tailored to regions.

Community-driven initiatives can focus on diversifying crop varieties, promoting drought-resistant plants to ensure food resilience. Collaboration with local farmers, research institutions and environmental organizations can develop and share knowledge about climate-resilient farming techniques. 

9. Meeting Escalating Food Demand

If ever there was a call to pioneer innovative growing practices, the world will need to produce at least 50% more food to feed all people in the coming decades. One reality associated with widespread urbanization will be the necessity of urban farming and community gardens, which will allow localized food production and reduce the environmental footprint of long-distance transportation. 

Investing in farming and gardening education programs within our communities can empower average citizens with the skills to implement advanced, sustainable growing methods. 

10. Tackling Food Waste

Last, but certainly not least, we must address food waste. Simply put, as a global society, we waste FAR TOO MUCH! Addressing the mind-blowing 1.3 billion tons of food lost or wasted annually requires community-driven changes in consumption habits, distribution networks and waste-reduction strategies. 

We must begin setting an example for global sustainability. Communities can establish food recovery programs that connect local businesses, farms and households with excess food to those in need. Collaborating with local schools, governments and businesses, localities can learn practices and implement policies that incentivize responsible food production and consumption to make conscious choices in their daily lives. 

Can We End Global Food Insecurity? The Answer Begins Locally

The journey to end global food insecurity by 2030 necessitates a community-first approach.  When communities unite, they become formidable forces capable of driving meaningful change and potentially ending global food insecurity for good. 

As we confront these challenges, remember that the power to end hunger lies within grassroots efforts – one impactful step at a time. You can begin in our Western New York community by becoming an impact investor in the Olean Food Pantry.

Let’s pay homage to a journey that began 70 years ago to end hunger in our communities. Olean Food Pantry began in the humblest of ways in 1954, with a small women’s group determined to feed the hungry as best they could. 

They decided to make a difference, and they did! Little did these remarkable women know, they laid a foundation for an organization fighting hunger on a large scale in many different ways decades later. As the Olean Food Pantry celebrates our 70th anniversary, we invite our local food pantry supporters and patrons to recall a legacy of service, understand the hunger issue today, and work toward a future where no one goes to bed hungry.

A Historical Legacy of Fighting Hunger Locally

What started as a modest initiative has evolved into a cornerstone of compassion in the greater Olean, NY area. Olean Food Pantry has long addressed local food insecurity with unwavering dedication.

In the early days, a compassionate group of women from Bethany Lutheran Church recognized the need within their community and took the first steps toward addressing food insecurity. They initiated the Bethany Food Pantry in 1954, providing nourishment to individuals and families referred by Social Services. 

Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, this grassroots effort operated on an on-call basis. Volunteers extended a helping hand when the need arose. 

Increasing Hunger: Creating Permanent Solutions

As need increased, it became obvious the Olean community required a more permanent solution to provide food for people in need. The turning point came in 1989 when Bethany Food Pantry underwent a transformative reorganization. Under the Greater Olean Association of Churches (GOAC), an ecumenical board was established and the first OFP director appointed. 

This marked a significant milestone as, for the first time, volunteers could keep the pantry open during regular hours. As the community’s needs burgeoned, so did the pantry, relocating multiple times to various places including Central Baptist Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and 1010 Wayne Street in the Empire Zone.

Olean Food Pantry Earns Nonprofit Status

In August 2004, the Olean Food Pantry took another monumental step, officially becoming a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, independent of GOAC. The organization became known as Olean Food Pantry, Inc. This transition gave our organization a permanent home, 8 Leo Moss Drive, Olean. The new building was dedicated Sept. 15, 2007.

Notably (and appropriately), the Olean Food Pantry is situated behind Bethany Lutheran Church. The battle against local food insecurity had come full circle. As a nonprofit, the Olean Food Pantry was given the organizational capacity to raise funds, nurture relationships and build new programs fighting hunger. 

The community’s generosity has always been inspiring. Thousands of community members have contributed to fighting hunger. Meanwhile, dwindling economic opportunities and generational poverty have contributed to thousands more living in hunger – verifiably more than ever before. 

Navigating the Current Landscape of Fighting Hunger

Today, as Olean Food Pantry celebrates 70 years of service, it’s essential to recognize the evolving face of hunger and food insecurity within our community. We believed the Covid-19 pandemic would offer the worst hunger realities this local food pantry could ever experience. So many in our communities lost their jobs, and their families struggled almost immediately and every day thereafter for years.

But with the pandemic mostly behind us, local food insecurity continues to INCREASE! Community need has ALMOST DOUBLED, expressed by a 95.4% increase in pantry visitors the last 3 years. A once-proud region dominated by factory towns, the Western New York counties we serve have a combined poverty rate of 17.4%. With inflation, even those who seem to live “comfortably” above the “poverty rate” can also struggle with hunger. 

We served 39,111 people between January 2022 and September 2023.

Record-Breaking Hunger Numbers in Western New York

Recent events have underscored the critical role the Olean Food Pantry plays. Just a few weeks ago, we served an unprecedented 155 families in a single day. In recent years, our volunteers have grown accustomed to seeing so many cars and people waiting to come inside. But the sheer volume of people and families that frigid day in late January was  

We would celebrate serving so many people, but no. The numbers paint a grim picture of community hunger like we’ve never seen before. 

Despite our progress, the pressing needs remain and new challenges emerge daily.

Frontline Heroes: Honoring Volunteers & Board Members

Volunteers are the true heartbeat of our local food pantry mission. They dedicate their time, energy and compassion to make a difference. Whether sorting, stocking shelves or distributing food, or educating on healthy food choices, their commitment not only provides sustenance, but also nurtures empathy and a sense of community.

Board members, with their strategic vision and leadership, have guided the pantry through decades of change. The Olean Food Pantry Board builds capacity to ensure our facility is operational, well-stocked and organized to serve thousands of people each month.

Celebrating Impact & Looking Ahead

As we honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future, the Olean Food Pantry remains committed to addressing the challenges of fighting hunger. Local food insecurity is a complex issue with deep-rooted causes. Economic downturns, job losses, and unexpected crises have pushed many families to the brink, making our mission fighting hunger more crucial than ever.

How You Can Make a Difference

As we embark on the next chapter of our mission, we invite you to join us in the fight against hunger. Your support – whether through donations, volunteering or spreading awareness – greatly impacts the lives of those struggling with food insecurity.

Let’s celebrate 70 years of compassion and resilience at the Olean Food Pantry while renewing our commitment to creating a community where no one goes to bed hungry.

We appreciate your tax-deductible donation today!

We’ve never seen anything quite like it. On a recent distribution day in late January, the Olean Food Pantry served more people than ever before. On this record-breaking day, we provided free grocery items and other necessities to a staggering 155 families – the most in a single day since our establishment in 1954.

Of course, only a handful of Olean Food Pantry front-line volunteers and board members have been around long enough to see each of those 70 years of service. But there are plenty of us who’ve served at OFP long enough to see the sobering reality of record-breaking service days.

More Families Served is a Good Thing, Right?

Absolutely! Serving hundreds of families living with food insecurity in our communities is a great thing! It’s our mission – literally why the Olean Food Pantry exists. Our pantry staff are accustomed to looking out and seeing lines of cars and people stretched around our parking lot, on even the most frigid days, for the food they and their families desperately need.

While it’s amazing to see this mission in action, the feeling is also bittersweet. It’s hardly worth celebrating that community hunger is increasing THAT much. 

That highlights the critical need for assistance in our community. As we’ve said numerous times – and we’ll say again – we’ve seen a 95.4% increase in Olean Food Pantry visitors the last 3 years. 

Olean Food Pantry is Ready to Answer the Call! Are You?

Our vision faces challenges working toward a future where no one goes to bed hungry. It’s clear we’re nowhere near that future. Try as we might, the systemic issues and generational poverty that cause and exacerbate hunger are more than one small-town food pantry can solve alone.

The recent surge in demand is a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. So in the meantime, the Olean Food Pantry must continue feeding the masses until societal solutions become clearer.

We’re ready to answer the call! Are you? Cash donations go further than any other type of support at this time – as we are able to purchase MORE food at preferred rates. Here are some realities to sink your teeth into. 

Our Vision: A Future Without Hunger

Our commitment remains unwavering: to create a future where hunger is eradicated from our communities. Yet, the increasing numbers experiencing hunger underscore the complexity of the issue and the multitude of factors influencing it. As volunteers, we’re driven by the joy of giving back, but we also know a hunger-free future requires a greater collective effort.

Becoming a Hunger Ally: Why Your Support Matters

Now, more than ever, we turn to our dedicated supporters to join us in the fight against hunger. We invite you to become a Hunger Ally – an impact investor for the Olean Food Pantry. Beyond providing nutritious food, here’s why your support is critical:

Local Control

The more we rely on individual donations, the less we must rely on larger organizations. Contract agreements with large food banks come with stipulations to serve specific areas and populations – sometimes restricting others – in alignment with their missions.

We KNOW the distinct needs of our communities in alignment with our mission. Direct cash donations to Olean Food Pantry give us that local control to serve as we know best. Your support also allows us to tackle routine facility improvements that keep us operating at full capacity. 

Educating on Healthy Choices

Hunger is not just about providing food. It’s about empowering individuals and families to make healthy choices. Your support enables us to educate and empower our clients. By learning, they may gather the skills to take control of their long-term well-being.

Leveraging Grants & Additional Funding

Many grant processes require match funding from the applicant agency (us) to be eligible. It’s like having “skin in the game,” showing Olean Food Pantry’s commitment to success. Being financially sustainable – without additional funding – is a requirement for most foundations, government grants and charitable trusts. 

Financial support helps us raise awareness through strategic community outreach, ensuring that the Olean Food Pantry has the capacity to communicate programs for people in need.

Building Community Partnerships

We believe in the strength of community partnerships. Your support helps us to collaborate with local businesses, schools and other nonprofits, creating a network of support for those facing food insecurity. 

Financial firepower gives us the ability and credibility to coordinate food insecurity programs with other organizations that serve related needs.

Will You Fight the War on Hunger with the Olean Food Pantry?

Over the years, we’ve witnessed the transformation of the Olean Food Pantry, from serving a few dozen families just a few years ago to the recent overwhelming turnout of over 100 families. It’s a testament to the growing need within our community, and it emphasizes the crucial role our local food pantry plays.

Stand with us as a Hunger Ally. Your support – whether through a financial contribution, spreading awareness, or volunteering your time – makes a real impact. Let’s build a stronger, more resilient community where no one has to face an empty table. 

Join us in making a difference today.

The antidote to ending food insecurity lies within us and within our communities. We’ve posted about it on this blog quite a bit – and will continue to do so until we achieve our vision of a world without hunger. It begins at the community level, grassroots, neighbor helping neighbor.

Why?

Because we know the good people we serve. Ending food insecurity in our communities requires empathy. Collectively, we’re not there yet. It requires sacrifice. Collectively, we’re not there yet, either. But here at the Olean Food Pantry, we know we can get there by better understanding the drivers of hunger which don’t discriminate in plaguing communities across the U.S.

We Need Our Communities on the Journey to Ending Food Insecurity 

While hunger is present everywhere, Olean Food Pantry needs to focus on the Western New York communities we serve. The majority of the families and individuals who visit us are from right here in Olean, NY and other nearby towns in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. 

The community support we do receive is often overwhelming. School districts, fellow nonprofits and local businesses holding food drives. Neighbors down the street dropping off a load of groceries or even a few extra cans from their kitchen. People donating turkeys and ham for holiday meals. It’s enough to bring a tear to your eye.

But sometimes we wish we could do more to:

• Ensure our local food pantry shelves are perpetually stocked
• Educate the masses about the realities of hunger & poverty
• Build more community partnerships
• Drive more cash donations that go farther

Community support already plays a crucial role in the goal of ending food insecurity. To make an everlasting impact, we need to address some critical realities facing big cities and small towns alike in America.

The War on Hunger: By the Numbers 

Let’s get real. Food insecurity is the sneaky antagonist that lurks in the shadows. It’s time that we shine a spotlight on it.  

Over 44 MILLION people in America reported that they had difficulty getting enough food in 2022. The exact figures are always hard to pin down. That’s about 1 in 8 households experiencing this reality! (We suspect the actual number is much greater.)

What does that mean? The likelihood that you know someone living with food insecurity is very high. And the face of hunger doesn’t always look how you would think. The Olean Food Pantry serves nearly 2,000 individuals and families per month. With the poverty rate of our counties hovering around 17%, it’s reasonable to believe the ACTUAL number of people experiencing hunger is exponentially greater. The need demonstrated by sheer numbers has almost doubled the last three years. 

And it’s not just people living in poverty who live with hunger. Those who just lost a job or experienced a significant loss can go from plenty to scarcity in a matter of days.

Knowledge is a Superpower: Spreading Awareness to End Food Insecurity

You don’t even have to volunteer at your local food pantry to have an impact. The glow of understanding extends far and wide. It reaches unsuspecting hearts and minds. 

Fellow community members may not know how much the Olean Food Pantry really helps the community. It’s YOUR job as a local community member to spread awareness to those who may not know.

Organize a Food Drive

Picture this: you and your neighbors partnering up to start a food drive in Olean, or teaming up with businesses for cash donations (which, as we’ve expressed, go 66% farther than food donations alone). Food drives not only build awareness, but also provide direct support to your local food pantry. 

Community Education & Workshop Programs

Here you can educate our community on food insecurity in Olean, NY. Don’t just be a bystander. Get up on that roof and shout to your family, friends and neighbors for change! We can turn Olean into a powerhouse community. We can become an unbreakable force capable of tackling hunger head-on. WE NEED YOUR HELP in spreading the word! 

Use Social Media as Your Hunger Ally

The vast majority of us have the most powerful tool ever created for reaching mass audiences right in our pockets: a smartphone. Raising awareness for local hunger can be as easy as sharing a social media post. 

If you don’t feel compelled to share, liking and commenting also works to show support and inform others that food insecurity is a real problem worth solving. Follow Olean Food Pantry and engage with our daily content! 

Ending Food Insecurity in Our Communities: Are You Up for the Challenge?  

At the end of the day, our communities in Western New York can take some giant steps forward by building awareness and showing compassion. These are superpowers each member of our communities has. Let’s begin to build a culture of support that makes you proud to be a part of the Olean community.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook a harsh reality many families face: the struggle to put food on the table. Thankfully, local food pantries stand as a beacon of hope in communities that are fortunate enough to have them. While tens of millions of Americans utilize food pantries each year, untold millions more lack easy access to organizations that can help.

Why?

There are any number of reasons to not seek help from a food pantry, many of them exacerbated by poverty and other socioeconomic factors:

• Travel/distance
• Limited education/awareness
• Fear of stigma
• Believing others are more deserving
• Refusal/pride
• & More 

Here at the Olean Food Pantry, we serve nearly 2,000 individuals and families per month – mostly from Allegany and Cattaraugus counties. While a vast majority come from the greater Olean, NY area, there are still a considerable number who go great distances (and struggle mightily) to get here.

Why Do People Turn to Local Food Pantries?

Food pantries provide a lifeline for those in need, bringing a sense of belonging and support that uplifts these struggling families. Sadly, even well-meaning people turn a blind eye to food insecurity. That’s no indictment. Hunger and poverty look different community by community. Many people and communities at large are unaware how severe the local need is.

As a tragic side effect, local food pantries, food banks and others in the fight against hunger are typically under-resourced, understaffed and underfunded.

A Silent Struggle 

In the midst of what appears to be plenty, sometimes it may seem unfathomable to some that anyone could go hungry. The face of hunger isn’t always what you’d expect, although it’s easy to generalize. And that’s a societal problem. You don’t have to “look homeless” or “poor” to struggle with food insecurity. You might not know that the young couple who lives in an otherwise nice home down the street are going hungry. Or even that your cousin skips meals to pay rent – something that an astonishing 39% of Americans have reported doing. Of note, 40% of Americans sit just one missed paycheck away from entering the hunger cycle.

The truth is that food insecurity affects MILLIONS of families, even in upper class areas. Unexpected job losses, medical emergencies, or other circumstances can send individuals and families into financial instability. This makes basic necessities, like food, difficult to afford.

How Do Local Food Pantries Help?

In a recent blog, we addressed volunteers at local food pantries as heroes in the war against hunger. Today, we expand upon that narrative a bit further.

Helping Hands in Times of Need 

Local food pantries operate on the principle that NO ONE in their community should go to bed hungry. Pantries work tirelessly to try to bridge the gap between abundance and need. It’s THAT important. Local food pantries like ours are sources for more than just food.

We stock a variety of non-perishable items, fresh produce, hygiene products, baby needs and even pet food. This ensures that families facing hardships can access sustenance AND essential everyday items. What’s more, we provide support and nutrition education to help individuals and families help themselves with time. 

At the end of the day, it’s simply helpful for people living with food insecurity to know they’re loved and not alone. 

Community Support & Partnerships  

The success of local food pantries relies heavily on people like YOU and partnerships with community organizations. Collaborations also may include local businesses, schools and nonprofits who serve a role in the continuum of services for struggling individuals and families. 

The thing that really contributes to the sustainability of these lifelines are community-driven initiatives such as food drives and fundraising events.  

How YOU Can Make a Difference  

Feeling inspired to make a positive impact at your local food pantry? Fantastic! Here are some various ways you can make at difference: 

• Volunteer: Many pantries rely on volunteers to sort, pack and distribute food.  
• Donate: Consider donating food, hygiene products or financial support. Every donation, big or small, goes a long way! We always stress this heavily. Cash donations allow us to acquire 66% more food as a nonprofit food pantry thanks to preferred rates with regional food banks, as well as local farmers and grocers.
• Raise Awareness: Use your voice to spread awareness to your community. Advocate for policies that address the root causes of hunger and support the local initiatives.

Hunger is more than a feeling. It’s more than uncertainty and stress, more than poverty, and greater than the sum of all societal issues that cause it. Food insecurity impacts families in real ways – especially children.

Food insecurity for children is essentially an issue all its own in the greater narrative surrounding the war on hunger. Some 60 million Americans struggle with finding their next meal – of which 12 MILLION are children. The consequences of hunger are dire to these millions of infants, children and adolescents.

In this blog, we’ll explore how food insecurity impacts children from their physical and emotional health to academics to social development.

Food Insecurity for Children: It’s More Than Going To Bed Hungry

We talk a lot about our vision for a world where no one goes to bed hungry. But in reality, “going to bed hungry” is merely a symptom of hunger. For millions of children, hunger is a reality that can trap them in a cycle of hunger and poverty indefinitely.

The lack of consistent access to nutritious food for an active, healthy life is a major issue impacting children worldwide. 

That’s a good place for us to begin.

Physical Health 

The consequences of food insecurity extend far beyond the pains of an empty stomach. The most direct consequence of food insecurity for children is damage to their physical health. Inadequate access to food can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth and a weakened immune system, leading to myriad other potentially devastating health conditions. 

Children experiencing food insecurity are more susceptible to illnesses and are at risk of long-term health problems. Malnourished children face difficulty recovering from even the common cold, causing them to miss school more frequently and for greater durations. 

The impact on their overall well-being can carry into adulthood.

Learning Development 

Nutrition plays a CRUCIAL role in cognitive development. Ideally, children and adolescents learn both at school and at play. Without regularly consuming the right nutrients, concentration and academic ability tend to suffer dramatically. 

But kids aren’t just finding it difficult to concentrate on an empty stomach. 

Chronic hunger impairs cognitive function, hindering a child’s capacity to process information and develop essential skills. Research has shown that children who lack proper nutrition are more likely to have learning disabilities, lower academic scores and a higher likelihood of having to repeat a grade. 

Lacking nutrition can also contribute to fatigue and a decreased ability for children to participate in beneficial extracurricular activities and sports.  

Behavioral & Emotional Consequences 

Food insecurity for children can also manifest in behavioral and emotional challenges. The stress and anxiety associated with uncertainty about the availability of food can lead to behavioral issues. And again, lacking nutrition inhibits brain development and function, which can have negative consequences regulating mood and good behavior.

This can look like aggression, withdrawal and difficulty in social interactions. Emotional well-being is closely tied to nutritional health, and the emotional toll of food insecurity can affect a child’s mental health throughout their life.

Long-Term Impact on Future Opportunities 

The long-term consequences of childhood hunger shape the trajectory of a child’s life. Poverty and food insecurity for children are tough cycles to break. Generational poverty at times seems like a supernatural force that solidifies the fate of millions of children.

Just as it’s difficult for parents/guardians to work out of poverty while hungry, the obstacles facing food-insecure kids place them perpetually at a disadvantage. Here at the northernmost tip of Appalachia, poverty and food insecurity have devastated families for decades.

Facing a never-ending cycle of food insecurity, malnourished children are more likely later to struggle finding stable employment and economic independence. 

Fighting Childhood Hunger: Olean Food Pantry is Here to Help 

Addressing food insecurity among children is crucial for building a healthier, more thriving society. Local organizations like the Olean Food Pantry strive daily to not only provide nutritious food to people in need, but also to help families with nutrition education and other services that help to break the cycle of hunger. 

The hidden consequences of food insecurity on children’s health and education should call us all to action to help future generations. We can work toward making a change – and it starts at the local level! Advocacy, policy change and community-driven initiatives are essential in breaking the cycle of food insecurity. 

Cash donations allow Olean Food Pantry to purchase 66% MORE FOOD than donations of non-perishable food items alone. Thank you for your donation today!