Across Chautauqua County, more families are struggling to make ends meet. Rising food prices, increased housing costs, utility bills, and other financial pressures have created a growing need for food assistance throughout our community. At Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, that need is visible every day.

Through its soup kitchen and emergency food pantry, Rural Ministry provides food and support to hundreds of local residents each week. The organization serves more than 600 meals weekly and assists families, seniors, veterans, and individuals facing difficult circumstances. As the cost of living continues to rise, more people are turning to Rural Ministry for help, making community support more important than ever.

For many households, a paycheck that once covered basic necessities simply does not stretch as far as it used to. Seniors living on fixed incomes are often forced to choose between purchasing food, paying utility bills, or filling prescriptions. Working families who never imagined needing assistance are finding themselves visiting food pantries because wages have not kept pace with rising costs. Every day, Rural Ministry sees firsthand how quickly a medical emergency, job loss, reduction in work hours, or unexpected expense can push a family into crisis.

At the same time, the cost of providing assistance continues to climb. Food prices have increased significantly, and every meal served in the soup kitchen and every food pantry order costs more than it did just a few years ago. Despite these challenges, Rural Ministry remains committed to ensuring that no one who comes seeking help is turned away hungry.

This is why Give Big CHQ plays such a vital role. Donations made through Give Big CHQ help Rural Ministry purchase food, maintain operations, and continue providing essential services to those experiencing food insecurity. Every gift, regardless of size, helps ensure that meals continue to be served and pantry shelves remain stocked.

Supporting Rural Ministry through Give Big CHQ is simple. Donors can visit the Give Big CHQ website, search for Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, and make a secure online contribution in just a few minutes. Whether someone can give $10, $25, $50, or more, every donation stays local and directly benefits individuals and families in Chautauqua County. Small gifts add up quickly and make a tremendous difference when a community comes together.

To help community members better understand the organization’s mission and impact, Rural Ministry will host a Community Picnic on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will provide an opportunity for residents, supporters, and prospective donors to visit the facility, enjoy fellowship with neighbors, and learn more about the programs that serve our community every day.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet staff and volunteers, and see firsthand how donations are transformed into meals, pantry assistance, and hope for those facing hardship. The picnic is a chance to celebrate the generosity of our community while highlighting the ongoing need for support.

Rural Ministry is especially grateful to the local businesses and community partners who have helped make the event possible through food donations. Special thanks go to Wells Enterprises, Save A Lot of Dunkirk, Tim Hortons, and Farrell Roofing for their generosity and commitment to helping neighbors in need. Their support demonstrates the spirit of community partnership that makes Rural Ministry’s work possible.

Be sure to follow Chautauqua County Rural Ministry on Facebook throughout the day on Thursday during Give Big CHQ. We’ll be sharing videos, stories from our programs, updates from the Community Picnic, and highlighting the impact your donations make in the lives of local families. Viewers will also have opportunities to participate in giveaways throughout the day and may even spot a few surprise guests stopping by to support the cause. It’s a fun way to learn more about Rural Ministry, celebrate our community, and be part of this important day of giving.

Food insecurity remains a challenge for many households throughout Chautauqua County, but together we can make a difference. Through the generosity of donors, volunteers, businesses, and community organizations, Rural Ministry continues to provide critical assistance to those who need it most.

As Give Big CHQ approaches, Rural Ministry invites the community to attend the Community Picnic, take a tour, learn more about its mission, follow along on Facebook, and consider making a donation. The need is great, but with the support of a caring community, hope remains strong.

Every meal served, every pantry shelf stocked, and every family assisted begins with the generosity of people who choose to help. Together, we can ensure that our neighbors never have to face hunger alone.

Lorie Mets is a board member for Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.