WESTCHESTER- Although Westchester is seen as an affluent area, as hourly wages remain low and the cost of essential items continues to rise, 1 in 3 households in our community is at risk of hunger. Faced with fixed expenses, like rent and childcare, families are forced to make tradeoffs and may skip meals or cut back on needed groceries. However, thanks to Feeding Westchester and its supporters, nutritious food is provided throughout the county where it’s needed most.
Feeding Westchester, located in Elmsford, provides food through more than 220,000 neighbor visits every month. The non-profit organization secures food from national food and grocery manufacturers, retailers, shippers, packers, and growers, and from government agencies. In fiscal year 2023, Feeding Westchester distributed more than 21 million pounds of food – equal to more than 17 million meals – through soup kitchens, food pantries, schools, shelters, residential programs, and mobile distributions.
Feeding Westchester relies on donors, like State Farm, to carry out its mission. State Farm not only provides funding, but also volunteer service. Recently, 20 State Farm volunteers bagged 3,050 meals for Westchester residents. Snack bags were distributed to local libraries for children doing afterschool homework, and to senior housing centers in Westchester. Breakfast bags were provided to hungry children at local schools.
“Our team enjoyed an amazing day at Feeding Westchester, packing food for the food bank,” said State Farm Sales Leader Holly Spann. “Together, our team also raised over $17,000 for this great organization.”
“Thank you to State Farm for, once again, pulling together a mighty team to help pack food for neighbors in need,” adds Rebecca Snyder, Feeding Westchester Director of Corporate Partnerships. “It was a pleasure to welcome the State Farm team to our expanded space to show the impact of their generous support.”
In addition to food distribution, Feeding Westchester provides nutrition and food safety education, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) assistance, and help for food insecure patients in Westchester through its “Food is Medicine” program. RX Pantries, a collaborative project involving hospitals and clinics, helps eliminate barriers to improved health and well-being, and provides clinical care and other community resources.
Feeding Westchester is located at 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523.
Visit feedingwestchester.org for more information on the organization’s services.
