Submitted Photo Pictured left to right are: Travis Gordon (member, Fredonia Presbyterian Church); Cynthia Wickwire Lundquist (pastor, Fredonia Presbyterian Church); Douglas Essek, Village Trustee; Roger Britz, Jr., Village Trustee; Mayor Athanasia Landis; Kara Christina, Village Trustee; Jim Lynden, Village Trustee; Michael Barris, Village Trustee; Rachel Spangler (member, Fredonia Presbyterian Church).

The Fredonia Village Board of Trustees has endorsed the Feeding Fredonia Challenge and Mayor Athanasia Landis proclaimed Oct. 7 to 18 as Feed Fredonia Week. This support is an important statement that this food collection is an event that needs the involvement of the whole community to succeed.

Almost 90 Fredonia businesses and offices have committed to be drop off sites for food donations from the community. Fredonia Central School District and Fredonia College are also participants in this program.

The first Feeding Fredonia Challenge was organized in 2014 by the Fredonia Presbyterian Church in response to the closing of a major employer in our community, Carriage House. For the last five years, the food collected by the annual challenge has supplied the food for the Fredonia Food Pantry. Each year, over 3,500 meals are provided to area residents through the pantry.

The goal this year is 5,250 pounds of food. The Fredonia Food Pantry shelves are empty and the need is real. The community is encouraged to participate by bringing donations of non-perishable food items to participating area businesses and offices, indicated by the orange sign in their windows. The food needed include: Beans, canned fruits, canned meats, canned vegetables, cereals, coffee, dry milk, peanut butter, rice, soups, pastas, canned spaghetti sauce and jelly (but all donations will be accepted).

Anyone with questions about the program should call Fredonia Presbyterian Church at 679-1501.