United Way Volunteers Pack 35K Meals for Local Food Pantries
June 25, 2019
Utica, NY - United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area, with approximately 100 volunteers, packaged 35,000 meals for local food pantries in Oneida and Herkimer Counties to help alleviate this burden, keeping families’ costs down and children’s stomachs full.
During the school-year, many children in our community receive free breakfasts and lunches. However, those two meals, per child per day, become an extra financial burden on the child’s family during the summer.
“Hundreds of families across the Mohawk Valley area struggle to put food on the table. Summer often means the absence of regular breakfasts and lunches for their children,” stated Erin Matt, CEO of United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. “By providing these meals to our local food pantries, it will help them fulfill the increased need they will see as we enter school's summer break.”
This is the third time United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area has partnered with Meals of Hope and local businesses to help full the shelves of local food pantries. It is only due to United Way's efforts and the support of sponsors funds and employee volunteers that this event is able to happen. Sponsors include CONMED, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Mohawk Valley Professional Association, McCraith Beverages, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, New York State Nurses Association, Paradigm Consulting, Primary Urgent Care, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, CNY Labor Council, GCC/IBT Local One-L, Northland Communications, IBEW/NECA, and Herkimer County Teachers Association.
By: Kristyn Bucciero Beckwith
