Setting the table for healthier lives

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 13% of Americans lack reliable access to enough fresh food to lead active, healthy lives. People in this situation often must choose between buying food and paying for housing, utilities, medical care and other necessities. The Regional Food Bank exists to address this chronic problem.

Created in 1982, the Regional Food Bank helps feed more than 350,000 people each month. The organization is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks and other charitable agencies that works to alleviate hunger, prevent food waste and deliver nourishing food to those who need it.

It accomplishes this by collaborating with food distributors, restaurants, farmers and other food industry businesses to direct surplus groceries and essential non-food items to food banks, emergency shelters, senior centers and programs serving children and low-income individuals with disabilities. Last year, the nonprofit distributed more than 45 million pounds of food that otherwise would have been wasted.

Powered by volunteers

Keeping this vital network running requires a lot of people, and most of the work is done by volunteers, including the staff of Northeastern Insurance. The agency’s 25 employees regularly help in a variety of ways. Along with steady financial support from the agency, its employees prepare food for distribution, ensure items are not past their expiration dates and support the nonprofit’s various programs. It also collaborates with its clients, local chambers of commerce and other local businesses to raise awareness and increase donations.

“For more than 40 years, the Regional Food Bank has worked to feed neighbors across our region,” said Michael Venezio, President, Northeastern Insurance. “We are honored to play a small part in ensuring healthy food is available to all who need it.”

The food bank also runs other initiatives that support children and families. These include the BackPack Program, which discreetly provides children with bags of nutritious food every Friday so they have enough to eat over the weekend; The Care Necessities, which gives feminine hygiene products, diapers, toiletries and other basic necessities to families; and the Mobile Pantries Program, which delivers food to residents in underserved communities that lack a food pantry or grocery store. This results in healthier lives and brighter futures for families across the region.

“We are honored to play a small part in ensuring healthy food is available to all who need it.”

– Michael Venezio, President, Northeastern Insurance

The food bank is able to accomplish so much because it keeps overhead costs low and maximizes the amount of food it provides to partner agencies This efficiency allows the organization to devote 91 cents of every dollar to programs and operations and to distribute $8-10 worth of food for every dollar it spends.

“Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO, Regional Food Bank. “And the generosity of our many volunteers allows us to improve the lives of thousands of people every week.”

“Everyone deserves access to healthy food…and the generosity of our volunteers allows us to improve the lives of thousands of people every week.” 

– Tom Nardacci, CEO, Regional Food Bank

Feeding neighbors in need

Your vote can help fund the food bank’s various programs including backpacks filled with food for students in need, school pantries, senior food deliveries and other life-changing initiatives. Money from a Make More Happen award would also help the nonprofit expand its reach and continue to make a positive difference to those in need across northeastern New York state.

Help Northeastern Insurance win $10,000 for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by August 9, 2024.