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Bridging the Gap During the Government Shutdown
When one of our volunteers asked if she could bring her kids along to our food-voucher distribution—just until their dad got off work—we happily said, “Of course!” None of us knew their visit would become one of the greatest blessings of the night. By the time their father arrived, the kids were laughing, handing out hot dogs, and proudly helping our volunteer team. They were having so much fun they asked to stay two more hours.
Later, during a quiet moment between distributing $25 food vouchers to SNAP recipients, we explained to her son what the event was all about:
“Some moms and dads work very hard but still can’t afford enough food, so we’re helping them out,” I told him. “Some of the people we helped today are retired, can’t work, or are sick—they deserve food, too.”
As kids do, he wondered if they could take home the extra hot dogs. His mom gently reminded him they had groceries waiting at home, and that some kids don’t always get dinner. You could see the spark of understanding—empathy taking root.
This entire effort came together in just seven days. The Fredonia community rallied and raised more than $10,000 to provide food vouchers at our local grocery store, which will soon feel the impact of reduced EBT funding. Over a dozen volunteers showed up to help neighbors fill out a simple intake form, verify ID and EBT cards, hand out vouchers, and share a resource sheet listing local food banks, free community meals, and low-cost dinners at the Senior Center.
At times, the line stretched out of the church parking lot and down the block, but it moved quickly—we served 80 families in the first hour. Many expressed heartfelt gratitude. Thanks to a beautiful fall day, children played on the church lawn while parents waited, and every person who came through the line received help.
The next day, the team continued distribution at Parkview Village, a low-income housing community where many residents don’t drive, and coordinated vouchers with staff at SKIL. After securing enough funding, we held a second round of distributions the following week, ensuring families received another $25 voucher.
Everywhere we went, people shared their appreciation. Many were shopping for Thanksgiving dinners or simply refilling the fridge. One man, preparing to host family after losing three loved ones in a tragic accident, told us how much the extra help meant as he cooked for those who remained.
Thanks to extraordinary generosity from churches, individuals, and local businesses, the Fredonia Area Community Foundation didn’t need to draw from our own grant funds to make this happen. By dedicating the time of our Associate Director, Kelly Azevedo—who coordinated volunteers, planned the logistics, and oversaw distributions—we were able to play a meaningful role in a community effort that directly supported more than 100 families.
This experience reminded us all of something simple and profound: when we care for our neighbors, we strengthen the heart of our community.
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