Supporting Food Security Nonprofits: Rural Communities Need You More Than Ever

Think of what you might call “the picture of food insecurity.” What do you envision? Perhaps it’s a crowded soup kitchen in some big, far-off city. Or maybe it’s one of those TV commercials soliciting donations for a famine-stricken third-world nation half a world away.

Make no mistake, those are certainly worthwhile causes to support. But the war on hunger in our own backyards should stir many of the same emotions. With nearly 30,000 people served at Olean Food Pantry annually, we’re forced to confront the reality that supporting food security nonprofits in rural America is just as important.

(Related reading: Rural Food Pantries Need More Than Food: The Hidden Costs of Fighting Hunger.

After all, all those good folks in need who line our parking lot each distribution day are our friends, neighbors and even family.

Hunger Hides in the Hills of Rural Western New York

Hunger doesn’t stop at the city limits.

In rural places like Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties — where easy access to transportation, healthcare and even grocery stores is limited for tens of thousands of residents — food insecurity can be even more severe. 

And quieter. And harder to see.

At Olean Food Pantry, we’ve spent over 70 years addressing this hidden crisis. And today, we need you more than ever. Food insecurity in our communities often hides behind closed doors. It looks like:

• A single mom skipping dinner to feed her kids
• A senior choosing between prescriptions & groceries
• A neighbor who works full-time but still can’t afford a cart of healthy food
• A veteran without transportation to the nearest grocery store — more than 15 miles away

(We took time to profile many of the typical demographics we see weekly at Olean Food Pantry in our Faces of Hunger series.) 

Hunger in rural America doesn’t often make headlines. It doesn’t flood TikTok or Instagram. But it’s real. It’s growing.

In our region — at the northern edge of the Appalachian corridor — the latest official statistic is that 13.6% of our citizens experience food insecurity. Our calculations are much higher – up to 1 in 4 – factoring those on the cusp of poverty and others who struggle keeping jobs in a tough economy.

That number continues to climb due to rising grocery prices, SNAP eligibility changes and our dramatically shrinking rural economies.

Why Rural Food Pantries Like Ours Deserve Support

There’s a troubling truth we’ve learned over time: rural hunger relief organizations receive far less attention and funding than their urban counterparts.

Here’s an eye-popping statistic: only about 7% of philanthropic dollars go to rural nonprofits, despite rural America representing nearly 20% of the population. If ever there were a reason to support food security nonprofits in underserved areas like ours, that’s it! Unfortunately, many grantmakers simply overlook regions like ours because they lack flashy data, dramatic imagery or recognizable zip codes.

But here’s what we do have:

• Proven Reach: We served over 27,000 individuals in 2024 across a tri-county area.
• Efficient Operations: Olean Food Pantry is 100% volunteer-run. Every dollar goes directly to food, infrastructure and community outreach.
• Community Partnerships: We work hand-in-hand with farmers, grocers, civic groups and schools.
• Smart Spending: Through our partnership with FeedMore WNY, we purchase food at wholesale nonprofit rates, meaning even small cash donations can feed multiple families.

We make every dollar count. We stretch every gift to its fullest potential. We meet families where they are.

Supporting Local Food Equity in Underserved Areas

Ending hunger is a matter of social justice. It isn’t just charity. Every one of us — no matter where we live — deserves a full plate. 

We’ve proven we can build sustainable food equity systems in underserved rural communities, and that we can replicate that success across the country.

Join us. Support us. Donate to hunger relief in Western New York. Stand with rural families who deserve better. Because here, every meal is a lifeline. Every gift is a vote for dignity. Make your tax-deductible donation to Olean Food Pantry today!