WEST VALLEY — The West Valley Cleanup Alliance (WVCA) recently donated $2,000 through their WVCA CARES program to the Ashford Food Pantry in support of their mission.

The donation from WVCA, the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s (EM) prime contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project, will be used to purchase necessary food items for families in need in the town of Ashford.

“We are very thankful to have WVCA as a partner,” said Kris Aldrow, food pantry manager. “This money will allow us to address food insecurity and its challenges in our community. It will also help bridge the gap on items we need but cannot get from our current sources.”

The WVCA CARES program uses a percentage of WVCA’s earnings to aid local communities. Through its contributions, WVCA seeks to enhance the well-being of local residents, sustaining a collaborative environment and an improved quality of life for the community.

“We are proud to partner with the Ashford Food Pantry,” said Jason Casper, WVCA President and Program Manager. “As a member of the community, it’s important that we do our part to contribute to the well-being of the community. Our goal is to be a positive force in this community and surrounding areas, while aligning our strong dedication to local initiatives and charitable causes.”

According to a 2024 New York State Health Department report, approximately one in four adults in New York state experience food insecurity. Adults experiencing food insecurity have a higher probability of several chronic diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease, the report indicated.

The Ashford Food Pantry is part of FeedMore Western New York (Food Bank of WNY and Meals on Wheels of WNY) and helps 60 families by serving approximately 1,500 meals per month. They also provide nutritious recipes and samples for families to try at home.