In a world where screens often replace handshakes and convenience trumps connection, local food pantries like ours remind us of something essential: we all belong to each other. Here at Olean Food Pantry, our commitment to Western New York is to fight hunger while building caring communities. (Related reading: 5 Ways Local Food Pantries Help […]

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 […]

The face of hunger in America is changing — and so must our response. The future of fighting food insecurity requires an analysis of current trends and challenges, as well as future opportunities. At Olean Food Pantry, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. In 2024, we served over 27,170 individuals across Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties […]

If you’ve ever been hungry, you know what it feels like: the irritability, the headaches, the fatigue. And worse. Many chronic poor health conditions directly stem from food insecurity and a less-than-optimal diet.  Health care providers at all levels have a great opportunity to fight food insecurity everywhere and improve health outcomes for their patients […]

In 2025, Olean Food Pantry served 27,170 people. If ever there’s a call for hunger relief action – using advocacy and communication to drive policy change – that’s it. That number is staggering — more than double the totals served annually since 2020. But it’s more than a statistic. It’s a reflection of the lives, […]

When you think of a food pantry, what comes to mind? A few shelves stocked with canned goods? A line of people stretching out the door waiting for help? A place where those less fortunate go to get what they need and leave quietly? At Olean Food Pantry, we know the truth runs far deeper […]

The Helping Hands Behind Every Client Served in Olean, NY Every month at Olean Food Pantry, something remarkable happens. While hunger and poverty continue to be some of Western New York’s most pressing issues, roughly 2,000 individuals and families receive free food and household supplies they wouldn’t be able to get otherwise. How does this […]

A year ago, Olean Food Pantry set out on an ambitious journey. We’re now more confident than ever its success will strengthen our fight against hunger in Western New York. With more than $400,000 raised in grants, cash donations and special events, we’re excited to announce WE’RE ALMOST HALFWAY TO OUR $1 MILLION FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN […]

The reality may be worse than we thought. Here at Olean Food Pantry, we’ve kept track of our client numbers for years. Directly witnessing a MORE THAN DOUBLING in pantry visitors since 2020 has painted a grim picture of hunger in our communities.  Hunger statistics are hard to pin down almost anywhere. Different government agencies […]

A common misperception: only the rich can help nonprofit causes like solving food insecurity. “What good will my $5 do?” many have said. “But if I were to give $20 per month, that’s only $240 a year.” But we’re here to say that even lower middle-class people can solve local food insecurity. In 2023 and […]

We’ve talked a lot about the realities of hunger in Western New York. We’ve discussed the many varied faces of hunger – because in our communities they’re not the stereotypical picture of poverty and homelessness. (Most importantly, they’re NOT the picture of laziness and entitlement that many would argue disqualifies them from hunger assistance.)  It’s […]

(Editor’s Note: The following is the last in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of a job seeker experiencing food […]

(Editor’s Note: The following is the fourth in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of an elder on a fixed […]

(Editor’s Note: The following is the third in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of a person living with disabilities. […]

(Editor’s Note: The following is the second in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of a person recovering from addiction. […]

(Editor’s Note: The following is the first in a 5-part series on the Faces of Hunger in Western New York. In 2024, Olean Food Pantry compiled a media campaign highlighting the varied struggles with food insecurity in our communities. The following is a more detailed peek into the life of resilient parents. While we would […]

Western New York is steeped in a proud agricultural tradition. Our region’s fertile soil, dedicated farmers and growing expertise have made Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties vital contributors to the region’s food supply. So we’re happy to promote an upcoming USDA grant opportunity for farmers. It’s a chance for our friends and neighbors who work […]

Western New York is a region rooted in rich, fertile soil and an even richer agricultural history. For this reason, we must honor that legacy by harnessing the ample natural resources in our backyards for the War on Hunger.  For generations, farms in our communities have not only fed our families, but also fueled our […]

Sustainability is a word thrown around a lot at local food pantries. In this context, you might envision the ability to maintain a steady flow of food for those in need. While our Board members and volunteers here do often discuss sustainability in that light, we prefer a broader definition of sustainability – one that […]

We’re always excited to usher in a new year here at Olean Food Pantry. To be sure, 2024 was a banner year for OFP as we received several large grants and community donations on levels never before seen. While reflecting on our progress, we’re also setting our sights on ambitious goals for 2025. In this […]