Utica, NY – In a heartfelt display of her ongoing commitment to those who have served our nation, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) announced the successful delivery of a $100,000 state grant to Feed Our Vets, a Utica-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger among veterans and their families.

The funding, secured by the Assemblywoman through the New York State Assembly, supported two essential upgrades at Feed Our Vets’ Utica facility: the reconstruction of the parking lot to ensure accessibility for veterans of all abilities, and the purchase of a new walk-in freezer to expand food storage capacity and meet growing community demand.

“Our veterans represent the very best of us,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “They answered the call to defend our freedom, and it is now our responsibility to ensure they never struggle to meet basic needs. Feed Our Vets embodies the spirit of compassion, dignity, and community service, and I am incredibly proud to have helped secure this funding to strengthen their mission. This investment sends a clear message: we see you, we honor you, and we will always stand by you.”

As a member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Buttenschon has consistently championed legislation and funding that address the unique challenges faced by veterans, from housing insecurity to mental health care and employment support. This grant represents another major step in her mission to ensure no veteran in the Mohawk Valley or across New York is left behind.

Richard J. Synek, Founder and Executive Director of Feed Our Vets, expressed his deep appreciation: “We appreciate the support of Assemblywoman Buttenschon and her office. The $100,000 provided by her helped us tremendously. We are especially thankful for the freezer. With the funding, we were able to purchase a 20-foot-long by 10-foot-wide freezer, we can now roll in the pallets we receive smoothly and efficiently. This upgrade gives us greater capacity to provide even more frozen food items to the veterans we serve. The funding also allowed us to repair our parking lot, which is now free of cracks and much safer for our visitors. Our organization, and the veterans in need who rely on us, are forever thankful to Assemblywoman Buttenschon.

” Founded in 2009, Feed Our Vets has become a lifeline for veterans and their families across the nation. Since its inception, the organization has:

• Provided food assistance to over 73,103 veterans and their families.
• Distributed 5.5 million pounds of food.
• Delivered over $395,000 in Walmart gift cards to help families purchase groceries.

These numbers, while remarkable, represent more than statistics, they represent lives changed, families fed, and dignity restored. The organization’s work is a testament to the power of community and gratitude, ensuring that no veteran or family is left hungry after serving their country.

“This is what community looks like,” said Buttenschon. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors, veterans helping veterans, and all of us working together to ensure no one is forgotten. Feed Our Vets is a shining example of that spirit, and I am honored to play a small part in supporting their mission.”

Across the United States, nearly 4 million veteran families struggle with food insecurity every year, a staggering reminder that service does not end when deployment does. With organizations like Feed Our Vets leading the fight, and with continued advocacy from leaders like Assemblywoman Buttenschon, hope and help remain within reach for those who have sacrificed so much.