AAA Western and Central New York is pleased to announce a successful drive to fight hunger. $2,768 and 1,725 pounds of food were collected locally this summer as part of a nationwide effort.

Back in June, AAA announced the launch of its grassroots giving campaign spanning local communities right here at home and across America. The campaign kicked off with a Week of Impact, featuring volunteer efforts at local food banks that are part of the Feeding America network.

At the Foodlink Distribution Center in Rochester, AAA volunteers filled 70 boxes with approximately 1,500 pounds of food—translating into 1,250 meals distributed across Foodlink’s network (10-county region encompassing Greater Rochester area and Finger Lakes region) to those in need. 

In Syracuse, AAA volunteers filled 130 boxes of produce with approximately 2,600 pounds of food, translating into 1,267 meals distributed across Food Bank of Central New York’s network.

At FeedMore WNY, a team of AAA volunteers created 15-pound boxes of food for families in need. AAA completed six pallets with 56 boxes on each pallet—that’s 336 boxes of food with a weight of 5,040 pounds. Most importantly, it is nourishment for 336 families in need.

Efforts continued throughout the summer, a time when many children experience food insecurity as schools are closed, with AAA putting out the call to the public to bring donations to AAA branches. AAA got creative in the workplace with fun ways for associates to show their support including raffles, a hot dog cookout, coffee sale, and dress down days.

AAA is a proud partner of the Buffalo Sabres, and the Sabres organization was more than willing to show its support. Together, the organizations collected more than 300 pounds of food for the cause.

“I’m so proud of our associates, members, partners, and the community for their support in this effort to fight hunger,” said Marke Dickinson, President and CEO at AAA Western and Central New York. “Our goal was to turn compassion into action, and we certainly demonstrated that. Thanks to the generosity of the community, we surpassed our goals, and our donations will feed tens of thousands of people across the region.”

In the end, collective efforts will provide nearly 35,000 meals for those in need across Western and Central New York.

In 2023, 47 million people—approximately 1 in 7—experienced food insecurity in the United States. The increased cost of living, coupled with increasingly limited access to food, is creating a national hunger crisis.

If you are in need of food assistance or know someone who is, find your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank to get connected for resources.