BUFFALO, N.Y. — In an effort to make sure that everyone in Western New York is prepared for the solar eclipse happening on April 8 Buffalo State University and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield teamed up to donate 5,000 eclipse safe glasses to FeedMore WNY.
The donation will be used for FeeMore's meal clients who are typically older adults, and homebound neighbors that rely on FeedMore's home-delivered meal program.
“Every client that receives a meal is going to get a pair of glasses. We're very excited to partner with FeedMore WNY and to make sure that we're giving back to the community,” Carol DeNysschen, Dean of the School of the Professions at Buffalo State University, said. DeNysschen is also a former member of FeedMore WNY’s Board of Directors
In a longstanding partnership with Buff State, FeedMore supplies nutritious food and resources to the on-campus food pantry often.
Many students and staff at the university also volunteer weekly to deliver meals to those in the Black Rock-Riverside neighborhood.
“Excitement for the solar eclipse is building and our community especially, being in the direct path of totality, is eager to participate in viewing parties and witness such an incredible, unique natural phenomenon. And, having proper eyewear to view the eclipse is crucial to the health of our community.” Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, said. “As a community based health plan, Highmark is proud to support Buffalo State’s efforts to bring our community together in a safe and educational setting for this rare sighting, and as part of that, we will distribute 16,000 pairs of safety glasses to attendees of Eclipse Fest, all Buffalo State students and faculty, and our longstanding partners at FeedMore WNY.”
Glasses will be distributed with meals all this week to clients in both Erie and Niagara County ahead of the eclipse.
“We are grateful for this thoughtful donation from our partners at Buffalo State University and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it may have been challenging for many of our home-delivered meal clients to obtain a pair of glasses to safely view the phenomenon were it not for this gift. We have started the process of distributing the glasses to our clients, and the smiles and expressions of gratitude we have received in return have been heartwarming,” Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY, said.
To learn more visit www.feedmorewny.org
Looking for where to get eclipse glasses in WNY? Click here.
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