The Buffalo Bills were at the Food Bank of WNY on Tuesday, Nov. 14, distributing Thanksgiving meals to families from throughout our community as part of the annual Thanksgiving Blitz event. Turkeys and meals were provided through monetary donations from the Bills players and coaches. Enough was raised to purchase meals for over 1,000 families in our community. Over 30 Bills players participated.
“Seeing the players, coaches, the staff and their family members all lend a hand to ensure that our hungry neighbors in need are able to gather together at full tables this holiday season is heartwarming. We are so fortunate to partner with this amazing hometown team, and their efforts on and off the field truly bring our Western New York community together,” said Tara A. Ellis, President & CEO of the Food Bank of WNY.
“It’s just important to be able to give back to the community – to people that grew up kind of the same way I grew up,” said Mike Tolbert. “My family worked extremely hard to put food on the table at Thanksgiving. Some people aren’t that fortunate so you want to be able to help them out as much as possible. Stuff like this, I’m all for and having a good time with it and helping people out.”
“It’s a great event to give back to the community,” said Preston Brown. “We’re interacting, not just passing out meals. We actually get to see how families are doing, talk to them – it’s good to interact with the families and just be out with the whole team. It’s a good community event.”
“It means a lot [to give back to the community],” said Leonard Johnson. “For them to be receiving gifts and turkeys, it takes a lot of pressure off of the parents to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I brought my son because I really do want him to get involved in giving back and I believe it starts at a young age.”
