County and city leaders join forces with Foodlink and the Rochester Red Wings to launch a major countywide food drive supporting families hurt by the SNAP funding delay

Rochester, New York – A major effort is underway in Monroe County to help local families who have been hit hard by the recent delay in federal food assistance. County Executive Adam Bello, Mayor Malik Evans, Congressman Joe Morelle, Foodlink, and the Rochester Red Wings are joining forces to organize a large-scale food donation drive this Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Innovative Field.

The one-day event aims to collect thousands of pounds of food and household essentials to support those who are struggling to put meals on the table as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces a harmful delay in funding. All donations collected will go directly to Foodlink — the region’s food bank — which will distribute items to local pantries and nonprofit agencies that serve families in need.

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Organizers say the impact of the SNAP disruption has been immediate and widespread, leaving thousands uncertain about how they’ll afford basic groceries. The food drive is a community-wide call to action, giving residents across Monroe County the opportunity to help their neighbors during this challenging period.

“While it continues to be outrageous that the Trump administration holds food assistance hostage during the shutdown, real people are hurting, and we know there are many in this community who want to help,” said County Executive Bello. “Thanks to my governmental partners and the Rochester Red Wings, we are providing an opportunity for Monroe County residents to help their neighbors in need, and support Foodlink, which is doing outstanding work during this crisis.”

Foodlink has been a critical resource for Western New York for decades, supplying food to hundreds of emergency pantries, meal programs, and community kitchens. But the current SNAP delay has caused what Foodlink officials describe as a “surge in need,” one that requires swift and collective action.

“Addressing the SNAP Crisis — a harmful delay in benefits impacting more than 100,000 of our neighbors — requires a community-wide response,” said Julia Tedesco, President & CEO of Foodlink. “Foodlink is mobilizing to ensure the emergency food system is prepared for a surge in need, and we are grateful for Monroe County, all of our community partners, and all of the individual donations that will help alleviate this sudden spike in food insecurity.”

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Mayor Malik Evans echoed those concerns, emphasizing that hunger affects every corner of Monroe County — from city blocks to rural towns — and that this weekend’s effort is about solidarity as much as support.

“I am proud to work with my partners in government and with Foodlink as we face continued threats to the most basic of human needs,” said Mayor Evans. “And I know I can count on the people of Rochester to Stand Roc Solid in support of their neighbors. Hunger is not just an urban problem, it affects suburban and rural communities too. We can face this challenge together with generosity and compassion – I urge people to participate in this weekend’s food drive.”

Congressman Joe Morelle, who has been outspoken about the dangers of federal inaction on food assistance, said the community’s quick response shows the best of Monroe County’s spirit.

“Here in Monroe County, in times of crisis we stand together to make sure no family is left behind. The Trump administration is weaponizing hunger in their political games, but we won’t sit quietly while our neighbors go hungry,” said Congressman Morelle. “I’m grateful to County Executive Bello, Mayor Evans, and the team at Foodlink for organizing this donation drive and coming together to support families in our community.”

Residents planning to donate on Saturday are encouraged to use the Oak Street entrance to Lot D — the parking lot just north of Innovative Field — where volunteers, along with County and City staff, will be available to help unload items.

Organizers are asking donors to focus on nutritious, shelf-stable foods that are most useful to Foodlink’s network, including canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, and whole grain pasta or rice. Non-food items like diapers, baby formula, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies are also in high demand. To ensure safety and consistency, people are asked not to bring perishable foods, homemade items, sugary snacks, or clothing and toys.

The food drive comes at a time when local agencies are reporting an increase in demand for emergency food assistance, especially among families who rely on monthly SNAP benefits. The temporary delay in those benefits has forced many to turn to food pantries for the first time, underscoring the importance of community-driven efforts like this one.

For Bello, Evans, and Morelle, the message is simple: no one in Monroe County should face hunger alone. The collaboration between local leaders, community organizations, and the beloved Rochester Red Wings baseball team is a powerful example of how partnerships can bring tangible relief to those in need.

Residents who want to learn more about the food drive, volunteer opportunities, or the SNAP program can visit the Monroe County website at www.monroecounty.gov.

As the community prepares to gather at Innovative Field this Saturday, organizers say the goal isn’t just to fill shelves — it’s to reaffirm that compassion and unity remain stronger than any crisis.