WEST VALLEY, N.Y. - EM employees at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) recently collected 102,000 pounds of food for hundreds of families in need - enough turkeys and other items for nine local pantries - surpassing their goal by more than 2,000 pounds.
The WVDP Food Drive is an annual tradition that has collected approximately 1.7 million pounds of food since its inception in 1989.
Each food pantry provides a list of needed items so organizers can maximize cash donations through partnerships with local stores. The stores use their buying power to obtain listed items at or below wholesale prices.
“The success of this year’s food drive speaks volumes to the generosity and kindness of our employees, partners, and subcontractors," said Lettie Chilson, facility manager for WVDP cleanup contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley, and food drive lead. “It shows the positive impact that kindness can have on a community."
In November, volunteers formed two teams to deliver hundreds of cases of food and 360 turkeys to the following food pantries: Fellowship Hill Ministries (Springville), Delevan Methodist Church, Catholic Charities Outreach (Franklinville), Saving Grace OutReach (Cattaraugus), Master’s Plan (Dayton), United Church of Christ (Ellicottville), Concord Food Pantry, Little Valley Baptist Church, and West Valley Food Pantry.
“I am honored to be a part of an event that makes a difference in our community," EM Project Director Bryan Bower said. “The amount of food collected each year demonstrates the generosity and kindness of our employees."
The WVDP Food Drive thanked the following businesses and organizations:
* International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Lodge 2401, which provided a monetary contribution for food;
* Test America and Southern Springs Construction and their employees donated cases of food;
* American DND, RJR Engineering, InTomes, MHF Logistics, MJW, and Sanders Parkview Supermarket donated food, in-kind services, rental trucks for delivery, and community support;
* DV Brown, Buffalo Fuel Corporation, SLR and Container Products Corporation provided food and monetary donations; and
* DOE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided monetary contribution from employees for food.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
