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Grant to Boost OFP’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign

OLEAN, NY – A $7,500 grant to the Olean Food Pantry from the United Way of Cattaraugus County aims to tackle skyrocketing local food insecurity. Commemorating its 70th year serving the Olean area, OFP will use the funds as another stepping stone to its new $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.

Olean Food Pantry launched the ambitious fundraiser in March in response to a staggering 95.4 percent increase in clients the last three years. The campaign will build sustainability by stocking shelves for the next decade – freeing time and resources for OFP to tackle the root causes of hunger in Western New York.

Serving the hungry isn’t enough, said OFP Board President David Potter. 

“We greatly appreciate this $7,500 grant from the United Way. We regularly serve record numbers at our weekly distributions, but that’s no cause for celebration,” Potter said, recalling a record-breaking day in January when the pantry served 155 families. “Our goal is to address why people are hungry in the first place. The community need has nearly doubled in less than five years. We need long-term solutions to provide resources and lift people from poverty.”

Olean Food Pantry has served over 40,000 individuals from Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties since January 2022, officials said. As of this April, the food pantry recorded a further 9.7 percent increase in clients, year-over-year.

The problem, said OFP board member Fred Welch, runs deeper than difficulty buying food. Improving access to community resources requires a true understanding of the drivers of hunger and generational poverty, he said.

“Thousands of people born here take their first breath already at a disadvantage,” Welch added. “Their success isn’t so idealistic as pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps. Some days it’s tough enough just to survive.”

While providing free food on weekly distribution days will remain a primary focus, OFP looks to address systemic hunger issues through collaboration, advocacy and education, said board member Rich Esposito.

Every day, food pantries across the U.S. counter a stigma against food insecure individuals and families.

“There are diverse and often hidden faces of hunger in the communities we serve,” Esposito said. “Their struggles aren’t always what you might think. They’re not the stereotypical image of poverty and hunger seen in the media. They could be single parents, people in recovery from addiction, or even one of the 40 percent of Americans who are one missed paycheck away from food insecurity.”

OFP has budgeted $84,000 for food purchases in 2024. Community partnerships with FeedMore WNY, Canticle Farm and local grocers, along with fresh produce grown on-site, provide the majority of the pantry’s annual food stock. According to OFP Board Treasurer Nick Hamed, assuming a 3 percent annual increase in food costs, $1 million would be required to ensure adequately stocked shelves for the next 10 years.

“Cash donations are particularly valuable, allowing us to purchase 66% more food than non-perishable donations alone, thanks to preferred nonprofit rates from suppliers,” Hamed said.

Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is being managed by Grand River Agency, an Olean-based consulting firm. By improving OFP’s strategic communications, the campaign looks to raise funds through major gifts, grants, and individual and corporate donations. 

Local donations also enable the pantry to maintain control over how funds are used, allowing for community-centric approaches to addressing hunger. To donate, visit https://oleanfoodpantry.org/olean-food-pantry-fundraising-campaign-2024-25/. 

By Kathleen Donovan
Olean Food Pantry Board Vice President

(Editor’s note: This is the last in a four-part series by the Olean Food Pantry for the Olean Times Herald about solving food insecurity in our communities. Read the original article here.)

If you’ve had your eyes open, you’re likely well aware of Olean Food Pantry’s supercharged communications efforts around our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign. Op-ed series like these. Press releases. TV interviews. Social media is blowing up with posts and articles we’ve produced illustrating the dire reality of local hunger.

And there’s more to come. 

It’s an investment the OFP Board of Directors is making in our communities, which have seen food insecurity numbers double in the last four years. To turn the slow gears of change, we must communicate the issue and gather support. Gathering support for an ambitious fundraiser requires appealing to grant funders, philanthropists and average citizens alike.

We must nurture a community dialog not only in Olean, but also across Western New York and even the nation. Feeding people in need is a BandAid. Addressing food insecurity will take a complete overhaul of systemic problems via grassroots efforts – community by community.

So we ask: Why not begin with ours?

Some of you may know me professionally as the Senior Social Media and Public Relations Coordinator for Cutco. Marketing and public relations are tough to master. In general, no one actually wants to be marketed to – to feel as if they’re being “sold to.” 

International brands like Cutco have a leg up in the communications game. People already like our knives and other products. Their superiority in the marketplace has been well-established for decades.

Nonprofit marketing is a different game. Essentially, OFP is selling a community vision for a world without hunger, which requires sacrifice from one person to benefit another. That’s a tough sell, to get people to act, even when they completely understand and support the mission.

There are two key obstacles in play. 

First, there’s a strong perception that nonprofits are “asking for money … again?” Well, yes, we are. But in the public mind, solicitations for donations come across like a neighbor who always asks to borrow $10 without ever paying it back. 

In the world of charity, that’s because it’s being paid forward. That $10 is feeding someone else. So our communications and public relations strive for transparency – to tell powerful stories of impact from social media to the news media.   

Secondly, the poverty stigma affects even well-meaning people. The second op-ed in this series painted a picture of hunger that many in our communities don’t get to see: the faces of food insecurity. The purpose? To counter the common narrative that people experiencing hunger are simply poor and lazy, as if by choice. 

But they could be a single parent/guardian trying to make ends meet, someone who just lost a job or a senior on a fixed income.

Taking a walk in their shoes – coupled with the sobering reality that 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck away from food insecurity themselves – is a powerful narrative. Many would view the hunger issue differently knowing that they, too, could experience an abrupt reversal of fortune to join nearly 2,000 people coming to OFP each month.

These misperceptions in communication aren’t just minor inconveniences, but rather barriers to engagement.

So Olean Food Pantry is striking a balance between fundraising outreach and storytelling for education.

We strive to share stories that highlight the real people behind the statistics — our family, friends and neighbors facing food insecurity. These stories of resilience and hope are compelling and help to illustrate why our work is so critical. These narratives do more than ask for donations. They humanize the cause, inviting empathy and understanding.

By diversifying our communication strategies, emphasizing transparency and sharing compelling stories, we can gradually shift the narrative. That’s where lasting change begins.

Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign works toward that future in so many ways. We appreciate your tax-deductible donation today: www.oleanfoodpantry.org/donate. 

Other articles in our op-ed series:
– David Potter: Olean Food Pantry’s Plan for a World Without Hunger
– Rich Esposito: Defining Hunger in Our Communities
– Fred Welch: Food Insecurity & Poor Health Consequences

(Kathleen Donovan is Vice President of the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors. She can be reached at oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.) 

By Fred Welch
Olean Food Pantry Board Member

(Editor’s note: This is the third in a four-part opinion-editorial series by the Olean Food Pantry for the Olean Times Herald and other local media outlets about solving food insecurity in our communities. Read the original article here.)

I spent much of my career as a STEM teacher trying to get kids to see and understand correlation and causation. Whether you’re studying math, science or history as a student, or navigating financial realities as an adult, it’s important to understand the “why” behind our daily experience.

As an Olean Food Pantry board member, it’s eye-opening to see the lines of cars stretching around the parking lot on distribution days. We easily grasp their “why” for being here in record numbers. People are hungry.

But that only scratches the surface. 

For many, the “why” behind their hunger results from several related factors – a vicious cycle of food insecurity, poor health and negative life outcomes. 

We live at the northernmost tip of Appalachia. That’s an understated fact, and many in our communities don’t realize what that means. We’ve grappled for decades with the highest poverty rates in New York state. The consequences are more severe than people simply lacking money for food. 

The impact of poverty on health is undeniable and multifaceted, creating a web of challenges beyond struggling financially. A recent study by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York (HFWCNY) – titled “Community Health Needs and Opportunities in Western New York’s Southern Tier” – explores these challenges. It reveals how poverty not only limits access to nutritious food, but also to essential resources that make matters worse across the board.

It’s a simple concept: without regular, nutritious meals, our bodies and minds can’t function properly. The effects ripple through every aspect of life, from physical health and mental well-being to the ability to perform at work or school. 

The result? A perpetuation of poverty and hunger that’s almost impossible to break. Hungry people get sick. Hungry people miss work. Hungry kids miss valuable lessons in the classroom.  Poor health makes it increasingly difficult to find and maintain employment. 

Hunger directly causes a variety of health issues that complicate progress in life:

• Malnutrition: Limited access to a diverse and nutritious diet can lead to malnutrition, affecting both physical and cognitive processes.
• Compromised Immune System: Inadequate nutrition weakens the immune system, leaving people more vulnerable 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 uncertainty associated with hunger contribute to mental health issues including depression, anxiety disorders and substance use.
• Developmental Delays in Children: Children experiencing hunger may suffer from developmental delays and struggle academically.

So many without adequate access to resources must climb mountains just to make progress. What’s worse, generational poverty affects a majority of the roughly 17 percent of Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua residents defined as living in severe poverty. 

Thousands of people take their first breath already at a disadvantage.

Their success isn’t so idealistic as “pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps.” Some days it’s tough enough just to survive. Anyone would have difficulty mapping out a vibrant future while days of struggle become months and years without any sign of hope. 

In the Southern Tier, high food insecurity rates have led to a dramatic increase in Olean Food Pantry clients. Entering this year, we had seen a 95.4 percent spike in pantry visitors since 2020. At our last board meeting, we discussed a further 9.7 percent increase in clients, year-over-year, through April.

Those numbers will continue to rise.

While we’re committed to meeting their immediate food needs, our ultimate goal is to solve the hunger issue by addressing root causes. That means solving the “why,” but unfortunately, there’s more than one “why.” Many more reasons than any one organization could tackle single-handedly. 

Achieving this vision requires a deep, collective understanding of poverty, hunger and poor health. It requires a commitment to developing proactive solutions and building community relationships to provide people with the tools to systematically emerge from poverty. Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign aims to do just that.

Your donation today is greatly appreciated. Visit www.oleanfoodpantry.org/donate. 

Other articles in our op-ed series:
– David Potter: Olean Food Pantry’s Plan for a World Without Hunger
– Rich Esposito: Defining Hunger in Our Communities

By Rich Esposito
Olean Food Pantry Board Member

(Editor’s note: This is the second in a four-part opinion-editorial series by the Olean Food Pantry for the Olean Times Herald and other local media outlets. about solving food insecurity in our communities. Read the original article here.)

I’m a numbers guy. The hunger numbers are staggering in our communities. That reality has sunk in deeply since joining the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors in March.

But numbers by themselves are easy to misunderstand. It might be hard to visualize what a 95.4% increase in food pantry clients the last three years truly means. What’s more, we suspect the actual number to be much higher, as many people don’t know how to access community resources.

Or, worse, they’ve given up.

So let’s set aside numbers for a moment and look at people as people. People with real struggles. People with life goals. People with disabilities. Their challenges aren’t always what you might think – well beyond the realms of politics and social issues. 

While Olean Food Pantry would never identify clients without permission, their experiences typically fall into several different archetypes. These are the faces of hunger:

The Resilient Parent

This person is the pillar of strength for their family. Despite facing their own hunger, they sacrifice to ensure their children receive the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. They could be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or other guardian. 

Reduced-price school lunches and carefully planned trips to the grocery store and food pantry are precious lifelines. They don’t like asking for – or relying on – help. But for many reasons beyond their control, there are few other options.

The Job Seeker

Although we’re no longer talking numbers, there’s one more that we can’t ignore. Roughly 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck away from food insecurity, according to Forbes. That’s nearly half of people who are one job layoff away from an empty refrigerator. 

For the job seekers who visit OFP, each day is a battle between a grumbling stomach and the pursuit of stability. Savings dwindle quickly. They’ve already begun selling off most of their “toys.”

They don’t “look” like a picture of poverty. They may have a nice house, nice clothes and a nice car. The job seeker’s journey notes the unpredictability of life’s twists and turns. Despite their professional demeanor, the once-stable ground beneath their feet has shifted.

The Elder on a Fixed Income

This individual navigates their Golden Years with financial strain. Memories of brighter days now clash with the agonizing choices they must make between essentials like medicine and proper meals. 

In many cases, their spouse has long since passed on. They planned well and saved in their working years. But the dollar just doesn’t stretch as it once did. 

Yet, they remain steadfast and optimistic, drawing from years of experience weathering life’s storms.

The Person with Disabilities

Many individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities also rely on Olean Food Pantry. They face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable to hunger. 

They may have limited mobility or difficulty understanding food assistance programs, among other community resources. The community programs they do access are often siloed, with limited connection to others in what should be a well-rounded continuum of care. 

While many have family and friends that help, some others do not. The systemic barriers they confront emphasize a widespread need for better accommodations.

The Recovering Addict

As if the demons of addiction weren’t enough, they accompany the harsh reality of hunger in a vicious cycle. 

“Slipping up” means money spent on substances rather than food, housing, bills and other necessities. Limited employment opportunities mean no money for anything. No money means depression. Depression means relapse.    

Many Olean Food Pantry clients with substance-use disorders are reintegrating into society after involvement in the justice system, adding more difficulty to finding stable employment. Each day tests their determination in the face of adversity, highlighting the complex interplay between substance abuse, poverty and food insecurity.

These stories underscore the diverse and often hidden faces of hunger in Western New York.  

As Olean Food Pantry continues our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign, we’re committed not only to providing immediate hunger relief, but also to implementing long-term solutions that empower individuals and families to thrive. Donate today: https://oleanfoodpantry.org/olean-food-pantry-fundraising-campaign-2024-25/. 

(Rich Esposito is a member of the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors. He can be reached at oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.)

By David Potter
Board President, Olean Food Pantry

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part opinion-editorial series by the Olean Food Pantry for the Olean Times Herald and other local media outlets. about solving food insecurity in our communities. Read the original article here.)

Last summer, our Board of Directors began some serious discussion around fundraising and community impact. A nonprofit’s vision should be a world in which it doesn’t have to exist. That’s a world where the problem is solved.

In our case, that would mean a world where the Olean Food Pantry wouldn’t need to exist. That’s a world – or at least the Western New York counties we serve – without food insecurity. 

A lofty goal.

But a look at the numbers shows a near doubling of community need (a 95.4% increase in pantry clients) the last three years. We routinely serve record numbers on distribution days. They come. They receive food. They return, just as hungry as before. 

If ever there’s a call for lofty goals, that’s it.

By now, you’ve likely heard of Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign. After 70 years of serving the greater Olean area, our Board agreed food distribution isn’t enough. Our ambitious fundraising goal will stock shelves for the next 10 years, so we can focus for the first time on solving systemic issues that cause hunger.

Ending hunger means ending poverty. Even the most advanced nations in the world haven’t come close to producing that result. But a small nonprofit on the front line of fighting hunger certainly can nurture partnerships and build programs that address root causes.

Here are a few avenues for grassroots impact to fight hunger one step at a time. 

Community Partnerships

For years, we’ve enjoyed partnerships with regional nonprofits, farmers and grocers who share Olean Food Pantry’s vision of serving impoverished populations. We need more – a lot more. 

With 10 years of financial stability, Olean Food Pantry can build new long-lasting partnerships with local businesses and other community organizations. We can expand upon old ones. Connecting with the continuum of services can improve our abilities to serve and create a network of support to refer related services, and for partners to refer to us.

A common issue in rural areas like ours is that resources are limited and siloed. Quite often, individuals and families don’t know what’s available to help in their own backyards. Which segues nicely to our next point.

Educating Our Community

Our pantry has always been a safe haven for people in need to stock up on grocery items, hygiene products and household needs. This level of service, while admirable, doesn’t solve community needs. 

We must empower our friends and neighbors with the knowledge and skills to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity.

Long-term sustainability affords the opportunity to invest in programs that extend beyond providing food assistance. Priority areas include workshops on:

• Meal planning and grocery budgeting
• Nutrition education
• Cooking skills and healthy recipes
• Food waste reduction

With more time and focus, Olean Food Pantry will be able to secure grants and form relationships with experts to educate clients.

Stability & Empowerment

A decade of stability will allow us to shift our focus from short-term fixes to long-term solutions for community stability and empowerment. Currently, programs like our community gardens and Mobile Food Pantry are innovative ways to provide food and involve people in their own well-being. 

But it’s clear that new routes to community stability are needed as hunger only increases. We would love to hear your input as to how our communities could help people secure resources that improve lives and lift people from poverty. These may include easier ways for people to secure:

• Mental health counseling
• Health and wellness initiatives
• Affordable housing 
• Transportation assistance
• Career skills and entrepreneur mentorship

The possibilities are nearly limitless when we have the financial firepower to think big. We aim for a decade of stocked shelves, not for the sake of serving food distribution needs alone, but rather to clear a path for solving the root causes of hunger.

Donate today: https://oleanfoodpantry.org/olean-food-pantry-fundraising-campaign-2024-25/.

(David Potter is Board President of the Olean Food Pantry. He can be reached at oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.)

As Olean Food Pantry continues to serve record numbers of individuals and families, it’s important not to see them only as numbers – but also as people. They’re the faces of hunger and food insecurity in Western New York. 

These good people paint a diverse and complex picture of struggle and unwavering determination. Behind closed doors, people from all walks of life navigate the relentless challenges of food insecurity. But their struggles aren’t always what you might think. Hunger in Western New York doesn’t always fit the mold of severe poverty or homelessness we see in the media. 

Their experiences vary greatly. Their choices are never easy. Their lives are worth understanding. Above all, they’re deserving of our help. 

A Glimpse at Food Insecurity in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties

While Olean Food Pantry would never directly identify clients without permission, their stories do generally fit several specific archetypes of hunger – some directly related to generational poverty; some not. 

Let’s shine a light on a few of them:  

The Resilient Mother

At home, she’s the pillar of strength for her family. While her children play unaware, she quietly battles the weight of providing for their needs. Each month, she does her best to balance a meager budget, making tough choices to ensure her kids have everything they need. Reduced-price school lunches and carefully calculated trips to the local food pantry are her lifelines. 

Her own hunger pangs are a small sacrifice for the well-being of her children. Kids, in general, suffer more harshly from hunger, so she does everything in her power to ensure they receive the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. But there’s never quite enough. 

This mother’s story is one of quiet sacrifice and unwavering love. It could just as easily be an experience shared by a single father or other guardian.

Days are filled with careful planning and resourcefulness, stretching every dollar to its limit to provide. Even in the face of adversity, steadfast determination protects and nurtures the family. 

This story reminds us of the countless unsung heroes who quietly battle hunger daily. Sacrifices often go unnoticed, but their impact is immeasurable.

The Job Seeker

Despite appearances, this local professional looks like they “have it all together.” Nice house. Nice car. But, it turns out, they’re not immune to the sting of economic downturns. They’re one of 40% of Americans who are just one missed paycheck from poverty and hunger.

Recently laid off from a job at a local school district, they now grapple with the harsh reality of financial uncertainty. Savings rapidly dwindle, leaving them with difficult decisions and an empty refrigerator. The search for employment is relentless, but hunger has become an unwelcome – and unexpected – companion in the pursuit of stability.

The job seeker’s journey is a testament to the unpredictability of life’s twists and turns. Despite their professional demeanor and polished exterior, the once-stable ground beneath their feet has shifted. Each day is a battle between a grumbling stomach and moving forward at all costs. Yet, amid the uncertainty, they’re determined to overcome adversity and carve out a brighter future. 

Their story is a reminder of the fragility of economic security.

The Elder on a Fixed Income

A custodian of our area’s history, this elderly individual navigates their Golden Years on a fixed income. Their spouse passed away several years back, and now this person lives alone. They planned well. They saved. But money doesn’t stretch nearly as far as it once did. Despite a lifetime of hard work, they’re burdened by the unexpected challenges of food insecurity.

Memories of brighter days contrast with the present reality of financial strain. Every limited dollar forces agonizing choices between essentials like medicine and proper meals. 

Every spending decision bears the weight of necessity. Despite the challenges, this individual remains steadfast and optimistic, drawing upon a lifetime of experience to weather the storms of adversity. 

Their story underscores the importance of compassion and support in times of need. This elderly individual most certainly deserves better.

The Individual with Disabilities

Often overlooked and underestimated, many individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities are among the thousands of people who utilize Olean Food Pantry. They represent a community grappling with unique challenges that cause poverty and worsen hunger. 

Securing their next meal is just one battle in a series of systemic barriers that hinder access to essential resources – sometimes without any assistance. For those with physical disabilities, mobility restrictions can severely limit their ability to reach the store or local food pantry.  Meanwhile, individuals with intellectual disabilities may struggle understanding the intricacies of food assistance programs, which furthers their vulnerability to hunger. 

Their struggles remain largely unseen, overshadowed by the narratives of more visible forms of poverty. Yet, amidst these challenges, their strength shines through in a world that often fails to accommodate their needs.

These stories note the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting challenges. We’re called to action, to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against hunger and inequality.

The Recovering Addict

Emerging from a turbulent past, this individual battles not only the demons of addiction, which in many cases only worsen the harsh reality of hunger. Reintegrating into society after encounters with the justice system, finding stable employment is tough. Low-paying jobs come and go, leaving them vulnerable to economic trouble and relapse. 

Hunger becomes a daily reminder of the uphill battle toward healing and hope. For persons with substance-use disorders, each day tests resilience and determination in the face of adversity. 

They confront not only the physical and emotional toll of their past, but also the reality that challenges they face are multifaceted and cyclical. “Slipping up” often means money spent on alcohol or drugs rather than food. It also may lead to trouble at work, job losses and ending up “back at square one” financially. 

The stories of recovering addicts show us that the bridge to recovery is shaky, but also brimming with hope. 

The Faces of Hunger in WNY are Our Friends & Neighbors

The key takeaway here is that it’s impossible to pigeon-hole hunger. It doesn’t affect one type of individual or family. Those who rely on their local food pantry today often never anticipated needing assistance. They aren’t just “lazy” or “dependent on the system.”

The faces of hunger in Western New York are diverse. They’re our friends, neighbors and even family, whose struggles go unknown. But behind every struggle lies a story of resilience and determination – proof of the strength of the human spirit. 

At Olean Food Pantry, we’re committed to lifting up our neighbors and breaking the cycle of poverty and food insecurity. Through our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign, we aim to provide not only immediate relief, but more importantly, long-term solutions that empower individuals and families to thrive. 

Join us in our mission to tackle hunger at the grassroots level – one community at a time.

The traditional service model for local food pantries is just that: service. People come. People receive food. They go home. But there are so many other innovative ways local food pantries could help their communities beyond food distribution alone.

We’ve been asking those questions and seeking those answers – and the critical funding to provide them – a lot recently. Here at Olean Food Pantry, we have food distribution down to a science. So much so, in fact, that we’ve continued serving record numbers of people with only volunteers. That’s a testament to our dedication in meeting ever-growing needs in our impoverished communities. 

It’s become apparent, however, that feeding the masses isn’t enough. It doesn’t solve the issues that cause the seemingly never-ending cycle of poverty and food insecurity.

So let’s think outside the box and discuss the innovative solutions our communities so desperately need.

Brainstorming New Ways Local Food Pantries Can Address Hunger 

Finding, funding and implementing these answers is the crux behind Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign. Step into the future with OFP as we aim to stock shelves for the next 10 years to better focus on systemic solutions beyond traditional food distribution. 

Our fundraising campaign isn’t just about seeking food to serve immediate needs. It’s about revolutionizing how we support our community, empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity.

Here’s a glimpse into the innovative initiatives we could build with greater funding and new community partnerships:

1. Job Training Programs

Through partnerships with local businesses and vocational schools, we’re looking to expand upon existing job training programs tailored to the needs of our communities. In places where job training and recruiting is lacking, we aim to explore, support and even build new options alongside community partners. 

By equipping individuals with marketable skills, we’ll empower them to achieve financial independence.

2. Financial Literacy Workshops

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to managing finances. Unfortunately, so many people lack the skills to:

• Prepare a household budget
• Balance a checkbook
• Make wise credit decisions
• Plan for the future

Olean Food Pantry seeks funding to support and provide financial literacy workshops to community members with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the money world. 

3. Mental Health Counseling Services

A stigma stands in the way of mental health, and we’re determined to topple it. Across the board, mental health programs are woefully underfunded. Among the thousands of Olean Food Pantry clients, many live with varying degrees of mental illness, from depression and anxiety to substance-abuse disorders.

Their battles with food insecurity are that much more difficult. Frequent setbacks often cause job issues and difficulty functioning in a fast-paced world.

That’s why we aim to partner with mental health organizations to refer counseling services. With funding, we may also establish formal programs to directly provide resources to pantry visitors with mental health afflictions.  

4. Health & Wellness Programs

A healthy lifestyle is the foundation of a thriving community. Unfortunately, poverty and hunger often contribute to a vicious cycle of health issues that makes matters worse. OFP already promotes healthy food options via our Shoppers Choice service method, as well as empowering clients to make other smart life choices. 

But there’s more that local food pantries can do.

OFP could host health and wellness programs like exercise classes, nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations. By fostering a culture of holistic wellness in partnership with other like-minded resources, we’ll reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall quality of life.

5. Affordable Housing Initiatives

Safe and stable housing is essential for emerging from poverty and hunger. However, affordable housing in the Olean, NY area has been a hot-button issue for years. That’s despite the presence of HUD, low-income housing and senior-specific options.

Many individuals and families still struggle economically while sitting above the poverty threshold for low-income housing eligibility. Their remaining options? Often, they must choose run-down – yet expensive – rentals in dangerous neighborhoods. Food insecurity follows like a shadow.

With greater funding, Olean Food Pantry looks to advocate for better housing initiatives and providing resources to help families find cheaper, safer places to live. 

6. Transportation Assistance

The Olean Area Transit System (O.A.T.S.) has announced it will stop services May 31, 2024. For four decades, O.A.T.S. has provided regular and reliable transportation for thousands of Olean Food Pantry users. Until another affordable transportation service steps in, food insecure individuals and families – as well as the elderly and persons with disabilities – will be left unserved.

Area hunger numbers are destined to skyrocket more than they already have.

Access to reliable transportation is critical for accessing essential services and resources. Whether they’re currently dependent upon their local food pantry or can use the grocery store, they must be able to get there first. OFP aims to partner with transportation companies and local government agencies to reach those in need. 

Our Mobile Food Pantry is a good start, but the community at large must band together to address this transportation issue.

7. Childcare Services

Children suffer from hunger more harshly, in general. And for their parents/guardians, securing affordable and safe childcare can be a significant barrier to accessing employment or educational opportunities. 

The result? You guessed it: greater hunger and poverty.

OFP aims to partner with local childcare providers to alleviate the burden while adults use the food pantry and attend to other important errands. By easing access to affordable childcare options, we’ll strive to help adults pursue their goals and lift their families from hunger.

8. Legal Aid Clinics

People make mistakes. Justice-involved individuals struggle more than most to find stable employment and stock their cupboards. 

With community support, we can refer food pantry clients to legal experts – or even provide legal aid clinics in partnership with law organizations to provide free or low-cost assistance. 

9. Entrepreneurship Programs

For aspiring entrepreneurs, starting a business can be a pathway out of poverty. Sometimes a side hustle is the only way to make ends meet, even for people with multiple jobs in this economy. 

A select few become successful, as 45% fail within the first five years. That’s why mentorship and access to resources are so important. Olean Food Pantry will partner with local business incubators to support people interested in building and sustaining a business. 

10. Community Gardens & Urban Farming Initiatives

Food sovereignty begins with access to fresh, locally grown produce. Our Community Garden and numerous partnerships with local farms, grocers and nonprofit organizations have laid the foundation. Now’s the time to push for greater community involvement. 

Urban farming initiatives will promote sustainable agriculture and local food production. People will be empowered to grow their own food, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency within our communities.

Ending Hunger: Local Food Pantries Can Be Leaders in Innovation

Imagine a world where individuals facing poverty and hunger are given the tools and skills needed to secure stable jobs. 

This world exists – and there are elements available right here in communities we serve in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Do these resources do enough? Do people know they exist? The problem in many communities is resources exist in silos, without systems to efficiently promote and guide people to their solutions.

With Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign, we’re not just addressing the symptoms of poverty and food insecurity. We’re aiming to tackle the root causes head-on, empowering individuals to emerge from hunger. Together, we’re creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Join us on this transformative journey.

Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign is NOT ONLY about ensuring we keep food on our shelves for the next year or two. We aim for A DECADE OF STOCKED SHELVES, not for the sake of serving food distribution needs alone. Rather, the transformative impact of securing food and supplies in that timeframe is in clearing a path to solve systemic issues that cause hunger.

(Related reading: 10 FAQs About Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.) 

YOU can help us plant the seeds for a decade of change and a path toward a future without hunger in our communities. YOUR financial support can build the promise of partnership, education and empowerment to lift families from poverty, help them secure vital resources, and end reliance on food pantries in the first place.

Olean Food Pantry: The True Power Behind a Decade of Stocked Shelves 

Over 44 million people in the United States face food insecurity today – although statistics are difficult to follow across 50 states and we suspect the true number to be MUCH higher. Food insecurity is powered by five main issues: 

• Poverty
• Unemployment
• Low wages
• Lacking resources
• Limited education

Each part forms an interconnected web of hardship affecting other parts. Low wages and unemployment lead to poverty. Poverty, in turn, makes access to resources more difficult, compounded by limited education for individuals and families on how to improve their lives. Limited education and resources then lead back to low wages and unemployment.

And then there are secondary issues, like the vicious cycle of hunger and poor health outcomes, which dig the poverty hole deeper for tens of thousands of Western New Yorkers and millions of Americans. 

The poverty rate in the U.S was 11.5% in 2022. But the reality is much worse here in impoverished Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties – nearly 17%. Olean Food Pantry has seen a 95.4% increase in clientele the last three years, and those figures continue to rise as we routinely serve record numbers of individuals and families on distribution days. 

OFP’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign will alleviate the constant pressure of replenishing the pantry, allowing us to redirect resources toward solutions to these major issues. Here are just a few of the plans. 

Building Community Partnerships 

For years, we’ve enjoyed partnerships with local nonprofits, farmers and grocers who share our vision and serve impoverished populations. We need more. A lot more. 

With 10 years of financial stability, Olean Food Pantry can build new long-lasting partnerships with local businesses and other community organizations. Connecting with different community partners can improve our abilities to serve and create a network of support to refer related services – and for partners to refer to us.  

These vital relationships foster a sense of solidarity within our community, coming together to tackle food insecurity in all the appropriate areas.  

(To inquire about possible partnerships, email oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.)  

Educating Our Community 

Our pantry has provided the necessities for 70 years. We’ve always been a safe haven for people in need to stock up on grocery items, hygiene products and household needs. But this level of service, while admirable, doesn’t solve community need. 

We must empower our friends and neighbors with the knowledge and skills to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity.  

Long-term sustainability affords the opportunity to invest in programs that extend far beyond providing food assistance. With more time and focus, we’ll be able to secure grants and form partnerships to provide education to clients in Olean, NY and surrounding communities. Imagine the impact of trainings that equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to secure stable employment. Consider the invaluable support networks we can establish for families by providing a sense of community and understanding.  

Educational initiatives have the power to uplift hungry individuals, families and the Western New York communities we serve.   

Stability & Empowerment 

Looking beyond our tangible resources, Olean Food Pantry is a beacon of hope in our communities. It’s a place where everyone is welcomed with open arms, where stories are shared and bonds may be formed.  

A decade of stability allows us to shift our focus from short-term fixes to long-term solutions for community stability and empowerment. A place to rely on is a saving grace for many community members. Currently, programs like our community gardens and mobile food distribution are innovative ways to provide food and empower our people.

But we seek more innovation. More avenues for impact. New routes to community stability. Olean Food Pantry could build and sustain new programs like:

• Financial literacy workshops
• Mental health counseling
• Health & wellness initiatives
• Affordable housing referrals
• Transportation assistance
• Entrepreneur mentorship
• & so much more 

The possibilities are limitless when we have the financial firepower to think big. 

Will You Support Olean Food Pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign?

Today, we’re filling stomachs or meeting immediate needs. Tomorrow, with your support, we’re building a stronger, more resilient community one meal, one community partnership, one empowered individual at a time.  

Join us on this continued journey toward a decade of impact that can turn into viable solutions to end hunger. We can build a future where no one needs to worry about their next meal — a future that gives every individual an opportunity to contribute and thrive. Donate today!