OLEAN — Olean Food Pantry (OFP) is sounding the alarm after federal funding cuts to food banks threaten to worsen hunger across Western New York.
The nonprofit braces for an 8.5 percent net decrease in food distribution capacity in 2025 as community need continues to surge, according to recently announced financial projections. The decrease in critical funding and food allocations stems from sweeping federal cuts to the USDA/TEFAP program and emergency food purchases through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
The Trump administration in March announced a 13 percent cut to federally funded food banks including OFP’s greatest food source, FeedMore WNY. As southwestern New York’s largest food assistance organization, Olean Food Pantry relies on an annual allocation from the regional food bank. Last year, it provided $289,000 in total assistance.
What does the spending cut mean for communities served in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties?
“Things in our area always seem to trickle down, so we needed time to assess exactly what the cuts mean for Olean Food Pantry,” said Jerry Hustak, OFP operations manager.
“Thanks to the generosity of community members and funders, the hit will ultimately be less than 13 percent but still a crushing blow to our service capacity.
The pantry served 27,162 people in 2024, up from 26,038 in 2023. That’s more than 2,200 individuals and families each month — a number that has more than doubled since 2020.
“By these numbers, we will no longer be able to provide such a large quantity of food and support,” Hustak added. “That’s many tons of food and tens of thousands of dollars in assistance. We will still serve the record numbers of people who come to OFP each month, but they’ll likely come away with less – much less.”
A reversal of Biden-era CCC allocations cut off an expected $500 million in support for food banks nationwide. FeedMore WNY has confirmed it will lose $3.5 million in food. That includes 12 canceled truckloads of chicken, turkey, pork, cheese and eggs scheduled for delivery, much of it en route to Olean Food Pantry.
OFP must now work harder to stretch its services, said Board President David Potter. The organization is calling for assistance from community members with the means to help. To make a tax-deductible cash donation, visit www.oleanfoodpantry.org/donate.
“We’re not just looking at numbers on a spreadsheet,” Potter said. “We’re talking about thousands of real people – neighbors, families, veterans and people working two jobs — who now face the terrifying prospect of empty cupboards with less hope for relief. Many people in our lines are here for the first time due to an unexpected layoff or financial hardship.
“They still deserve to eat. If they can’t eat, they can’t envision a brighter future. You can’t job search or battle addiction without a good meal.”
The slashed federal programs had provided $1 billion nationally to help food banks purchase fresh, high-value foods like meat, dairy and produce.
“This isn’t just a food bank problem,” said Fred Welch, an OFP board member. “This is a community crisis. Many people don’t know the majority of our food acquisition comes through FeedMore WNY. The community’s generosity is enormous, but the need is even greater and must be supplemented by a variety of sources beyond local nonperishable donations alone.
“It’s heartbreaking to see support pulled back at the exact moment when more people than ever are walking through our doors.”
FeedMore WNY reported more than 2.1 million pounds of food distributed last year were tied to now-canceled CCC purchases. The ripple effect is enormous for small, volunteer-run organizations like Olean Food Pantry, Potter said.
“Protein-rich foods like poultry, eggs, and dairy are what we’ll have the hardest time replacing,” he added. “They’re also the most essential for families with young children, older adults and people living with health conditions. These are not luxuries — they’re survival staples.”
With rising food prices, inflation and high fuel costs, replacing those supplies with local donations is nearly impossible without urgent community help, Potter said.
The cuts threaten to widen the gap between need and supply at a time when poverty and food insecurity in the OFP service area nears 25 percent, among the highest in New York state. Nationally, it’s estimated as many as 60 percent of Americans are just one missed paycheck from hunger, according to Feeding America.
“Olean Food Pantry has been fighting hunger on the front lines for over 70 years,” Potter said. “But this year, we’re going to need an army beside us. If this community doesn’t step up — if we don’t rally — the consequences will be felt in thousands of empty refrigerators.”
Despite the challenges, OFP remains committed to innovation and resilience. The pantry’s $1 Million Fundraising Campaign recently eclipsed $400,000 to build a more sustainable future — including investments in solar energy, food preservation equipment and expanded outreach to rural clients. These efforts aim to reduce long-term costs and ensure reliable food access even as traditional funding sources become less certain, officials said.
_____________________________________________________________________
All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.
