Join the Conversation in the War on Hunger

We Need to Hear from YOU! 

At the Olean Food Pantry, we are committed to creating a hunger-free future. We’ve learned that the first step is to understand the problem in the local War on Hunger. Our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is all about transforming our community AND taking on the root causes of hunger.  

But we need YOUR help. We need to hear from you about your experiences and insights relating to food insecurity in the greater Olean, NY area. What have you seen? How have you seen others battle to make ends meet while putting food on the table?

Perhaps, how have you struggled?

Your perspective and wisdom are crucial as we strive as a community for a world without hunger – which begins right here at home.  

Why Your Voice Matters in the Local War on Hunger

Food insecurity affects our community in many different ways. Some are impacted directly and others indirectly. Maybe you’ve seen a neighbor or family member struggle to buy their weekly groceries, often making tough decisions between household necessities, medications and paying bills. 

If you’re anything like the 40% of Americans who are living on the verge of poverty, you’ve likely faced some of these challenges yourself.

Sharing these stories and observations – in the comments below and on Olean Food Pantry’s social media – can help us understand what’s really affecting the Western New York communities we serve. It helps to provide us with a true scope of food insecurity, as well as individual and collective challenges to seeking helpful resources.

And it all starts with YOU!  

Community Insights for Proactive Solutions to Address Local Hunger

Your voice can shed light on the issues and help us develop solutions that will support you AND the people around us. The crux of Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is laying the groundwork for everlasting change. 

By securely stocking our shelves for the next 10 years, we can more importantly address the systemic issues that cause hunger in the first place. 

(Related reading: A Decade of Hope at Olean Food Pantry: Your Support Fuels Transformative Impact.)

We aim to break the cycle for good by focusing on generational poverty, unemployment, low wages, and gaps in education and community resources. 

Have you noticed an increase in people needing food assistance in Olean and surrounding communities? It would make sense with OFP serving over 1,000 households every month. Perhaps you’ve driven by the Olean Food Pantry on Leo Moss Drive on a distribution day and witnessed a long line of cars of hungry people weaving through our parking lot. 

How does that make you feel? Do you empathize with their plight and understand the experiences with food insecurity aren’t always what they seem?  

If you recall any personal trials of hunger and have used the pantry’s services and programs before, how can we improve the client experience? If you no longer require assistance, what strategies helped you and your family build self-sufficiency?

Have you volunteered and seen firsthand how much of a difference that food support can make? 

Whatever your story is, WE want to hear it!  

Summing Up: How You Can Help the Olean Food Pantry

1. Share Your Story: Use the comment section below or chime in on social media to tell us about your experiences and observations regarding local food insecurity. YOUR input is vital to OUR mission. 
2. Understand Our Cause: Learn more about our fundraising campaign and how we plan to achieve a hunger-free future. Your understanding and advocacy can be crucial! 
3. Donate Today: Any donation, no matter the size, will always help and push toward a better future! (Helpful hint: cash donations allow us to purchase 66% more food than food donations alone.) 

By joining the conversation, you’re not only raising awareness about food insecurity, but also contributing to real solutions. Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for more about our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.  

Together, we can make a difference!  

Together, we can make sure that no one in our communities goes to bed hungry! 

Together, we can solve hunger at the source!