Olean Food Pantry Seeks Support for Solar Energy Project

An Innovative Step Toward Fighting Hunger Sustainably

Check out our proposed solar energy project! We’ve been talking a lot about sustainability lately. As a socially committed community organization, we have a responsibility for environmental consciousness.   

Olean Food Pantry’s mission has always been clear: to ensure no neighbor goes hungry. But today, as hunger climbs to unprecedented levels and federal food aid is slashed, that mission requires bold, forward-thinking solutions. 

That’s why we’re thrilled to share our latest vision for sustainability — the installation of a 41.54 kW solar energy system and replacement of our aging facility roof. This will transform our operations by saving and reinvesting hundreds of thousands of dollars into free food assistance for years to come. 

With your help, this project can be a powerful testament to what community and innovation can achieve even in the most difficult times.

Let’s Learn More About Olean Food Pantry’s Solar Energy Project 

Our proposal includes a state-of-the-art solar panel system at our Leo Moss Drive facility to dramatically reduce annual electric costs. It also involves replacing our aging 2,800 sq. ft. roof as an essential foundation to support the solar array.

Over 25 years, we estimate $186,228 in utility savings, which can be reinvested to purchase fresh produce, protein and household goods at discounted nonprofit rates. Those savings directly translate into free groceries for families who might otherwise go without.

That means the thousands of dollars we spend each year to keep our refrigerators, freezers and essential systems running can instead be redirected where they’re needed most: food distribution to thousands of families in need.

The environmental impact is equally inspiring. This solar system would offset more than 1.7 million pounds of carbon emissions over its lifetime — the equivalent of planting 20,000 trees or driving nearly 2 million fewer miles.

Building Resilience in the Face of Hunger Crisis

As federal funding for food banks plummets — including a recent 13% cut to USDA/TEFAP allocations through FeedMore WNY, our largest food supplier — Olean Food Pantry is confronting a harsh reality: we must do more with less.

Last year alone, OFP served 27,170 individuals, more than doubling the number of people served here annually before the pandemic. We’re projecting an 8.5% net decrease in critical food funding. These cuts don’t just affect numbers on a spreadsheet. They threaten the meals we provide to real people with real struggles: 

• Working parents
• Elderly neighbors on fixed incomes
• People with disabilities
• Individuals in addiction recovery 

And many others who turn to us with nowhere else to go for free access to healthy food. To meet these needs, we’re embracing sustainability as a force multiplier in the fight against hunger.

Grassroots Fundraising: A Community-Powered Solution

We’ve already applied for several large grants from respected organizations like the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Renew America. But competition is fierce. We cannot rely on grants alone. 

That’s why we’re asking our community to help bridge the gap. If you’ve ever wondered how you could make a lasting impact in the fight against hunger, this is another key moment. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to a future where our pantry not only feeds the community, but leads the way in environmental stewardship and operational resilience.

This project is more than just infrastructure. It’s about making Olean Food Pantry a model for what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose and vision.

How You Can Help

We need your help to turn this vision into reality. A contribution toward this project is an investment in:

• Long-term hunger relief
• Community sustainability
• Fiscal responsibility & cost-saving innovation
• A cleaner, more hopeful future for Western New York

Click here to make a tax-deductible donation today. If you’re part of a business, civic group or congregation that’s passionate about community investment, we’d love to partner with you to bring this project to life.

Together, we can show that a rural food pantry can lead with bold solutions. In the fight against hunger, innovation and compassion are our most powerful tools.