Olean Times Herald, November 7, 2023
WEST VALLEY — The workforce at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) completed its annual Food Drive on Thursday as part of its continued commitment to the community.
This year’s food drive collected more than 10,800 meals worth of food – enough to provide turkeys, holiday items and staples for nine food pantries
“This annual tradition began in 1989, and has been held every year since then,” said Joseph Pillittere, CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) Food Drive Coordinator. “In total, the WVDP Food Drive has collected more than 2.3 million pounds of food since its inception.”
On Friday, more than 30 volunteers delivered hundreds of cases of food and 180 turkeys to the following food pantries: Fellowship Hill Ministries in Springville; Delevan Methodist Church; Catholic Charities Outreach in Franklinville; Saving Grace OutReach in Cattaraugus; Master’s Plan in Dayton; United Church of Christ in Ellicottville; Concord Food Pantry; Little Valley Baptist Church; and the West Valley Food Pantry.
“It comes down to one thing that makes this food drive successful: the generosity of our employees, partners and subcontractors,” Pillittere said. “It demonstrates the positive impact that kindness can have on a community.”
A special thank you goes out to the following employees and members of supporting businesses and organizations: CHBWV, U.S. Department of Energy, and New York State Energy Research & Development Authority employees; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Lodge 2401; American DND; Butler Construction; MJW Corporation; Container Products Corporation; Encorus Group Engineering; InTomes; Sander’s Parkview Supermarket; and EnergySolutions. Every year during the holiday season, resources get spread thin and the needs in the community increase. Community support from the WVDP Food Drive helps to meet those needs that may have gone unmet during the holiday season.
