St. Susan Center Awarded State Grant to Expand Food Recovery Efforts

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — The St. Susan Center is proud to announce it has been awarded $61,123 in New York State grant funding through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment Grant Program. The funding will support the purchase of a walk-in freezer, significantly strengthening the Center’s Produce Recovery Program and expanding its ability to serve nutritious meals to neighbors in need throughout Jamestown and Chautauqua County.

The grant was announced by DEC Region 9, which recently awarded a total of $176,000 to emergency food relief organizations across Western New York. The program, launched by Governor Kathy Hochul in October, is part of a $5 million statewide investment aimed at reducing food insecurity while preventing food waste through improved food storage and recovery infrastructure.

“This grant is not just a financial contribution — new commercial refrigeration is a lifeline for St. Susan Center,” said Cherie Rowland, Executive Director of St. Susan Center. “It empowers us to provide nutritious meals to those in need, reduces food waste, and strengthens our ability to serve our community during challenging times. With this support, we can continue to uphold our mission of dignity and respect for every individual who walks through our doors.”

DEC Region 9 Director Julie Barrett-O’Neill emphasized the importance of these local investments, noting that the grants support organizations doing critical frontline work while also helping the environment by keeping surplus food out of landfills.

The Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment Grant Program is part of New York State’s broader commitment to hunger prevention, affordability, and sustainability. DEC also administers the state’s nation-leading Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, which has helped recover millions of pounds of food for New Yorkers in need while reducing climate-altering emissions.

Other Western New York Grant Recipients

In addition to St. Susan Center, the following organizations also received funding through DEC Region 9:

• Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers – $29,670 for a reach-in freezer, reach-in refrigerator, and generator to support its community food pantry
• Buffalo Urban League – $85,848 for a commercial refrigerator and freezer, portable generator, and cargo van to enhance Senior Multi-Service Center food pantry operations

A full list of statewide awardees is available on the DEC website.

St. Susan Center is grateful for this investment and the continued partnership with New York State in the shared mission of fighting hunger, reducing waste, and building a stronger, healthier community.