Wendy Rodgers has been working at the Taste of Faith Food Pantry for the past 22 years, providing Buffalo-area families with a variety of foods, including dairy. Every other Wednesday, the food pantry clients show up in droves—mostly on foot—to see Ms. Wendy, as she’s known throughout the community, and wait their turn at the food distribution center.
Over the years, Wendy has come to understand the unique needs of the families she serves, many of whom struggle to afford necessities. Dairy, in particular, is a critical part of their diet, especially for the youngsters. “We have a lot of youth and infants, where their families can’t afford dairy products. We get a lot of powdered milk, but our pantry clients prefer the real thing. It means a lot to have fresh milk as part of the giveaway,” says Wendy. All the milk is kept chilled in a milk cooler, secured by the Boundless Grant through Feeding America with help from American Dairy Association North East.
On this food distribution day, along with whole milk, Wendy has chocolate milk half gallons to give as a special back-to-school treat. Whether white or chocolate, all dairy milk has 13 essential nutrients and plays an important role in child nutrition by supporting growth and development, and for seniors at risk of bone loss.
Milk donation programs like Fill a Glass with Hope®, a joint effort between American Dairy Association North East, dairy farmers, agriculture partners and business leaders, help stock local food banks, and pantries like Taste of Faith, with fresh milk to provide to families in need.
On average 1,427 people come to the Taste of Faith Food Pantry every other week for help, comprised of individuals representing 560 children and 221 senior citizens.
Most of the people who come to the food distribution are walk-ups from the neighborhood. You can see wagons in tow for bringing back food or individuals pushing strollers with infants or toddlers and loading the food on the bottom, while still others manage to balance a food-filled cardboard box on the handles of a bicycle as they ride away or walk home carrying a food-filled basket on their heads.
“We have a lot of mixed culture living near the pantry, people from all walks of life. “From the pantry’s Winslow Avenue location, Wendy points out a townhouse where lots of children live and an apartment housing complex filled with seniors. “They’re always asking for milk and cheese, and grateful for any dairy product really.”
How You Can Help
The Taste of Faith Food Pantry continues to serve as a lifeline for families in Buffalo’s diverse community, ensuring that dairy and other nutritious foods are accessible to those in need. With the growing demand for fresh milk and other dairy products, you can make a difference to Taste of Faith Food Pantry or your local food bank. Whether it’s through a financial contribution, volunteering your time, or sharing this story, every action helps nourish families and build a stronger, healthier community.
