Share Our Story: Raising Awareness Fuels Rural Hunger Relief
Your voice. It carries power. It carries weight. Raising awareness fuels rural hunger relief. Every time you share a post, tell a friend or simply speak up about hunger in underserved areas like ours, you’re doing more than spreading information. You’re helping feed families in need.
Believe us, your efforts to communicate the realities in our communities – hunger and poverty, joblessness and declining economies, social determinants of health, etc. – are more impactful than you think.
You’re most definitely NOT shouting into the white noise.
Here at Olean Food Pantry, we know the power of a good story. Great storytelling is one of the most effective tools any nonprofit has. We’ve invested heavily in it.
That’s why we’re asking for your help: Share our story!
Even the smallest actions build momentum. Reposting one of our social media updates, writing a letter to a government leader or potential funder, or simply talking with a neighbor about the need in our community expands our reach. It communicates to powerful decision-makers that our rural communities are united behind one goal: ensuring no one in Western New York goes hungry.
(Related reading: When Will Food Insecurity in Rural Western New York Be a Priority?)
Why Storytelling Matters in the Local War on Hunger
Small nonprofits like ours often operate on thin margins — especially in chronically underserved regions where public transportation, grocery access and funding are scarce.
Our impact is undeniable. But our visibility? That’s where we need you.
Most people have no idea what hunger looks like in places like Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. It’s not what you see on national news. It’s quieter. More hidden. It’s a working mom scraping barren cupboards to pack their child’s lunch for school. An individual with a mental health disorder struggling to find work and stretching $100 to last the month. A grandfather on a fixed income waking up to an empty fridge.
When you help us tell those stories — real stories of local people given free groceries with dignity — you shine a light where too often there’s only darkness.
Your Voice Can Open Doors for Rural Hunger Relief
Philanthropic foundations, grantmakers and corporate sponsors support causes that resonate with people. Big grants make a big splash. News of a successful fundraising campaign creates a snowball effect of community support.
Simply put: a big grant or donation can be the catalyst that sparks widespread change.
The more our community amplifies our message, the more likely we are to catch the attention of those who hold the power to fund our mission. But funders and community givers won’t know there’s an issue to solve – to step in where other funding sources are falling short – without some chatter behind it.
How can you help specifically? We thought you’d never ask! Try some of these:
Share Olean Food Pantry’s Social Media Posts
Your repost could help us inspire someone who wants to donate or volunteer.
Talk About Rural Hunger Relief at Work or in Community Groups
You never know who might be inspired to give — or who might be struggling silently and need help
Write Letters to Local Funders, Elected Officials & News Organizations
Speak from the heart. Tell them why organizations like Olean Food Pantry matter.
Invite Others to Visit or Volunteer With Us
There’s nothing like seeing the mission in action to spark passion and generosity.
Rural Food Pantry Stories Build Trust & Support
Think of some of the other charitable causes you might support. Why do you give? Because you’ve heard and seen the impact. But first that need and impact must be effectively communicated. In today’s world, people don’t just give to causes. They give to people and stories they believe in.
And what we do at Olean Food Pantry is filled with stories of resilience, compassion and neighborly love.
We’re 100% volunteer-run. We serve nearly 30,000 people annually. And we’re stretching every dollar to its limit to meet rising needs.
Share Our Story. Help Us Feed More Families
Our story isn’t complete without you. When you speak up, you become part of the solution. You amplify the need, hope and impact. You invite others into this powerful work of building food equity in rural Western New York.
Let’s tell a better story together — one of dignity, generosity and full plates for every neighbor. And, as always, we appreciate your tax-deductible donation to Olean Food Pantry today!
