Submitted Photo Hundreds of people lined up for a recent food giveaway event by Outpour Ministries, according to Erika Lopez.

Ending world hunger is often talked about as a pipe dream, the type of issue only a magic genie could fix in one’s wildest dreams. But in communities all across the nation and beyond, the issue is very real.

Statewide, in every single county in New York, more than 10% of adults reported experiencing food security. Overall, nearly 25% of adults in New York experience food insecurity.

“No one should have to go hungry,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a recent press release. “Hunger stresses the body and mind, and can result in malnutrition, inability to concentrate, anxiety, and depression. In addition, adults who experience food insecurity are more likely to report chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. The Department remains committed to fighting hunger and promoting health across this state.”

In Chautauqua County, the percentage of adults who experience food insecurity is 24.8% — the most among all counties west of Ontario County.

The issue is prevalent in many communities throughout Chautauqua County. Erika Lopez of Outpour Ministries said that hundreds of people lined up for a recent food giveaway event. But that recent event is far from the first in the area to highlight the need for food.

Each month, the village of Silver Creek holds a mobile food pantry event in conjunction with the Silver Creek Food Pantry and FeedMore of Western New York. Mayor Jeff Hornburg has consistently stated throughout the year that the food is gone within a couple hours each time.

“It’s a very nice program. People are very appreciative of it,” Hornburg said.

The demand in Silver Creek for each monthly event has been so high at times that parking issues were often caused throughout the village. Roughly 300 boxes of food are distributed within a few hours nearly every time the event is held.

Another event targeting the issue of food insecurity in the region is the annual Feeding Fredonia Challenge. Led by the Fredonia Presbyterian Church, the event relies on community partners to help collect food for the Fredonia Food Pantry.

“It’s a simple idea — collect food to be able to pass out food to people in need,” said Rev. Holly Clark-Porter of Fredonia Presbyterian Church.

The Fredonia Food Pantry is supported by donations from members of the community, the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, and Nourish New York. The Pantry attempts to fill 60 bags of food each month. Each family the Pantry supports receives one, two, or three bags of non-perishable food, according to their family size. The only requirement to receive food is to be a resident of Fredonia.

“We know that there are so many people that want to be a part of feeding people, and that is such a gift,” Clark-Porter said.

Donations of items can be delivered in person 24/7 in the church’s open vestibule on the side of the building at 219 Central Ave., Fredonia. Monetary donations can be made via check to First Presbyterian Church, with a note that it is for the food pantry, or online by visiting fredoniapres.org/food-pantry

The village of Westfield also hosts its own Food Pantry, which had a very busy 2023. In the past year, the Westfield Food Pantry logged more than 700 hours from volunteers, tasked with ordering and packing food to delivering and distributing food to those in need.

In total, 13,725 meals were provided by the Westfield Food Pantry to more than 650 families in need, an average of more than 50 families per month. More than 1,500 people were served in total by the Westfield Food Pantry in 2023, an average of more than 125 people per month.

The Westfield Food Pantry was supported by donations from individuals and organizations, including donations from every church in the village of Westfield on multiple occasions. The pantry’s Reverse Advent event, sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Westfield, brought in over 750 items to be distributed to those in need.

“We just wanted to thank the community for all of their continued support over the last 25 plus years that we have been open. Without your support, we would not be able to help the community as much as we do,” said Gail Boardway on behalf of the Westfield Food Pantry.

For residents of any community in the region, the New York state Department of Health offers several programs to combat food insecurity. Women, children, and adults in daycare settings also can receive assistance from specific programs through the Department of Health.

The Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program supports a network of more than 2,600 emergency food providers who distribute healthy food and fresh produce to individuals who request assistance. Through an initiative called Nourish New York, with collaboration from the Department of Agriculture and Markets, funding is provided to support locally grown or produced items such as dairy or produce.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) serves more than 425,000 individuals statewide with supplemental nutritious food benefits, along with offering breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and health care referrals.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program focuses on children and adults in daycare settings, where nutritious and safely prepared meals and snacks are provided through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture.

More information can be found online at health.ny.gov

Although resources are available throughout the region, from state to local levels, far too many people are still left hungry. With one in four adults in Chautauqua County facing food insecurity, the issue is far more common than many realize.

“It’s a simple, but difficult thing to just feed people,” Clark-Porter said.