{"id":15337,"date":"2026-07-20T13:15:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T13:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/new-york\/?p=15337"},"modified":"2026-07-20T13:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T13:28:59","slug":"no-kid-hungry-new-york-and-buffalo-bills-foundation-announce-western-new-york-grants-psa-campaign-in-support-of-kids-summer-meal-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/new-york\/no-kid-hungry-new-york-and-buffalo-bills-foundation-announce-western-new-york-grants-psa-campaign-in-support-of-kids-summer-meal-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"NO KID HUNGRY NEW YORK AND BUFFALO BILLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE WESTERN NEW YORK GRANTS, PSA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF KIDS\u2019 SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact<\/b>: Barrett White \/ <\/span>bwhite@rubenstein.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

NO KID HUNGRY NEW YORK AND BUFFALO BILLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE WESTERN NEW YORK GRANTS, PSA CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF KIDS\u2019 SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Alongside community grants, the organizations launch a <\/span>new PSA<\/span> featuring Buffalo Bills players to help connect eligible New York families with Summer EBT grocery benefits<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NY (<\/b>July 20, 2026<\/b>)<\/b> \u2013 No Kid Hungry New York today announced that nine Western New York public school districts and community organizations will receive community grants as part of a $134,000 initiative to provide more kids with free, nutritious meals all summer long. The new funding addresses some of the obstacles that have kept families from utilizing free summer meal programs in the past by providing grab-n-go meal options, home delivery, extended hours, and new, more convenient locations. These grants were made possible with help from the Buffalo Bills Foundation to support free summer meal programs in Western New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Buffalo Bills Foundation and No Kid Hungry New York also released a <\/span>public service announcement<\/span> raising awareness about Summer EBT benefits featuring Bills players Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, Tyler Bass, and Maxwell Hairston. Summer EBT dollars are now being distributed to eligible families across New York State, helping them pay for groceries during the summer months. As part of the program, eligible New York families will receive a one-time installment of $120 per child on their Summer EBT cards, which can be used to pay for groceries. More information on Summer EBT is available at <\/span>otda.ny.gov\/summerebt<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

New York\u2019s hunger crisis is continuing to impact millions of children and families. Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have impacted food assistance for <\/span>more than 125,000 families<\/span><\/a> statewide. According to a <\/span>recent poll<\/span><\/a> from No Kid Hungry New York, three-fourths of New York families reported that the high cost of food has forced them to choose between groceries and other necessities, like housing costs, utilities, and transportation. The poll also found that 52 percent of Western New York residents have had to take on additional debt due to the rising cost of food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Food insecurity spikes every summer as kids lose access to no-cost and low-cost school meals, and it is especially prevalent in rural communities, where it can be difficult for families to reach summer meal sites offering free meals. More than 2,500 sites will be open across New York this summer. Anyone age 18 and under is eligible. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a meal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from when school lets out for the summer. Yet for too many families across Western New York, getting to a summer meal site can be a challenge,\u201d said <\/span>Liz Lucas, Senior Program Manager at No Kid Hungry New York<\/b>.<\/span> \u201cThese grants help bring nutritious meals directly to kids through flexible solutions like eat-in meals, grab-and-go options, and home deliveries. At a time when families are struggling with rising food costs and federal cuts are putting critical food assistance at risk, this support is more important than ever. We’re proud to work with local school districts, community organizations, and philanthropic partners like the Buffalo Bills Foundation so that more children can stay healthy, active, and ready to thrive all summer long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“As an organization deeply committed to Western New York, the Buffalo Bills Foundation is proud to support No Kid Hungry New York and local partners working to ensure children across the region have nutritious meals throughout the summer,\u201d <\/span>said Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Buffalo Bills Foundation . <\/b>\u201cWe know that for many families in our community, rising food costs and transportation challenges can make it difficult to get the food they need. By helping expand flexible meal options including grab-and-go programs, home deliveries, and additional meal sites, we can reach more kids and families where they are and help them stay nourished and active this summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Western New York recipients of No Kid Hungry New York\u2019s 2026 Summer Grants include:<\/span><\/p>\n