In front, from left, are: Cora Hurrell, director of resident care, Lynette Ambrose, activities director. In back are Michael Ferguson, marketing director and Wendy Riewaldt, director of housekeeping.

A call was sent out a few weeks ago asking for help in restocking the shelves of the Fredonia Food Bank. Local leaders of Fredonia Place Assisted Living and Memory Care decided it was time to step up and help their neighbors … again.

The facility used the word “again” because Fredonia Place has a history of giving back and lending a hand both locally and nationally. They gathered an entire truckload of water during the Flint, Mich., water debacle, collected food for area food banks, hurricane, tornado and fire victims. Residents have sewn hats and mittens as Christmas gifts for local underprivileged children and they will hold another drive in May to help those in their own back yard. “We were holding a meeting to discuss employee incentives.” stated Mike Ferguson, Fredonia Place Director of Marketing. “We allow our team to participate in Casual Fridays, usually donating a dollar to charity to do so. When we read the story about the Food Banks need, we decided that’s the incentive we’d introduce.” said Ferguson. “After that, we decided, why not open it up to the general public to drop off items?” The facilities Activity Director, Lynette Ambrose reached out to the Food Bank’s Rev. Holly Clark-Porter for permission to host the drive. Currently, only non-perishable foods and tax-deductible monetary donations can be accepted. Ambrose quickly set up a drop location inside the front lobby of Fredonia Place where donated items can be dropped off seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The drive will run through the entire month of May and families can make multiple donations throughout the month if desired. All monetary donations can be made at the same location, Fredonia Place Assisted Living and Memory Care 50 Howard Street, Fredonia, NY 14063

If donating by check, all checks should be made out to: First Presbyterian with a note stating that it is for the Food Bank.