get involved

become a partner agency

Thank you for your interest in becoming a partner of FeedMore WNY! As a hunger-relief organization, our mission is to offer dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to our Western New York neighbors in need. We are committed to ensuring all of our food-insecure neighbors have access to healthy and nutritious food and all are treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.

In order to serve those who are hungry within our community, FeedMore WNY partners with more than 300 member agencies throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. If you are interested in becoming a partner agency, please read the partner benefits and basic requirements below. Please contact Kelly Burke at kburke@feedmorewny.org to request a partner agency application or if you have additional questions about becoming a partner agency. FeedMore WNY accepts new partnership applications by the following dates:  January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

partner benefits

Becoming a partner of FeedMore WNY offers many benefits:

  • We are a partner focused on helping you accomplish your mission of feeding those in need and preventing food insecurity
  • We solicit food and material donations from the community and offer a wide variety of food and household products
  • We solicit and manage grants on behalf of our partners in our network
  • FeedMore WNY offers nutrition education for the community
  • FeedMore WNY provides program support and resources related to food distribution   
  • You can easily view, select, and order product online   
  • Orders are delivered to your site
  • You are part of the largest network in WNY helping to reduce hunger

minimum requirements to become a partner agency

  • The food program must be a 501(c)(3), designated organization with a focus on serving the needy, ill and infants (church status is acceptable in lieu of 501(c)(3) status) or partner with a local not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization that will be fiscally, legally and programmatically responsible for the agency described in the application.
  • The food program must operate for at least six months prior to applying for partnership (exceptions with adequate justification and documentation can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
  • The food program must have regular, consistent hours of operation, established procedures, and rules and regulations under which the program operates.
  • For food programs serving the general public, food/products must provide food free of charge or obligation to all people.
  • The food program must have a defined method/system for how food will be distributed.
  • The food program must provide services without regard to race, color, citizenship, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran.
  • The food program may not require any person to attend a religious service or pledge money or membership in exchange for product received. Clients who attend a religious service or pledge money or membership must receive product in the same manner and amount as those who do not attend service or pledge money.
  • The food program must have appropriate physical capacity to receive and distribute food safely, and it must operate out of a space that is zoned appropriately within their jurisdiction. This cannot be a private home or residential building. (Note: all sites will be reviewed by FeedMore WNY staff via a site visit.)
  • The food program must have adequate staff and/or volunteers to support their program and identify a key staff member/volunteer to serve as the primary contact for the program.
  • Program staff/volunteer agrees to access and submit information via the Internet for tasks such as placing food orders, submitting monthly reports, etc. email for food orders and monthly client service reporting.
  • Food program staff agree to complete an online food safety training offered by FeedMore WNY prior to becoming a partner.
  • A designated person(s) from your food program must attend agency orientations prior to partnership and other ongoing trainings as needed.
  • The food program agrees to regular site visits from FeedMore WNY staff.
  • A food program preparing and/or serving meals on site must have a permit to operate a food service establishment from the local Department of Health (if applicable) and hold a valid ServSafe certificate.
  • The food program must maintain a valid email address that is checked regularly and have Internet access.
  • The food program must treat all clients, FeedMore WNY employees and members representatives in a courteous and professional manner.

In addition to these minimum requirements, your agency will be reviewed on the number of households and clients you do and can serve, whether there is any network duplication in your service area, and/or whether your service area is an underserved area or serves an underserved population.