Entrance to Frewsburg food pantry pictured

FREWSBURG – The Frewsburg Community Food Pantry is asking to be included in the annual budget for the town of Carroll.

The request comes amidst changes to the way federal programs that help food pantries operate as well as changes to grant requirements for grants that help the Frewsburg Community Food Pantry keep its shelves stocked.

Wendy Nelson, food pantry coordinator, spoke during a recent Carroll Town Board meeting and detailed the increasing struggles that the food bank has been experiencing, with the food pantry having to pay out of pocket for the first time ever during its August order. The total out-of-pocket cost totaled $31.50. The restraint to the food bank budget comes as a result of changes towards the grant access and distribution from FeedMore WNY, according to Nelson.

“Their grant structure has changed. We were only allowed $2,000 from June 2025 to June 2026 for HPNAP, and if we exceed the HPNAP grant then all other grants we’re not eligible for, and we would have to pay for the deliveries,” noted Nelson at the board meeting.

Nelson, on behalf of the food bank, is asking the Carroll Town Board to provide a slight amount of assistance, more of a safety cushion which the food bank can rely on if funding runs too low.

There is an ever expanding need for the food bank’s services in the area, meaning these structural changes are coming at a very inconvenient time. Nelson noted that the food bank has serviced 869 people since Jan. 1, with a total of $7,821 worth of food distributed to those in need. There is also the increased uncertainty of federal funding to many organizations such as FeedMore WNY, with new guidelines which were supposed to be implemented on Sept. 1 having been delayed and leaving unknowns in the future of food assistance programs in New York state. .

“As in any business or organization, finances can change due to the economy and reduced donations, grants, and rising costs of food. Going forward, should our expenses exceed our donations and grants, we’d be very appreciative if our town would assist us,” noted Nelson on the uncertainty and instability of food assistance funding and associated costs.

Asking the town for assistance comes as a final effort to protect low income food assistance, as Nelson noted the ways in which the organization has made recent attempts at furthering donations, to little success. According to Nelson the organization sent out 44 letters to members in the community asking for assistance upon the food pantry’s move to the Main Street location, with Nelson stating that they received only a handful of responses looking to aid the organization. While expenses for the organization remain covered at this time, a small change to costs or grant disbursements could mean a deficit for the organization.

Town board members said they will consider the request. For more information about the food pantry, contact 716-569-2615.