97 Rock’s Operation ‘Rock out Hunger’ shows support for FeedMore WNY with over $44,000 raised

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — For 19 years now, 97 Rock’s Dave Jickster has camped out in a trailer for eight days, to collect donations around the clock for a good cause.

Operation Rock Out Hunger wrapped up Tuesday morning at 10, and the drive collected more than $44,000 and more than 1,700 turkeys, along with crates full of non-perishable food items for FeedMore WNY.

“It’s a very uplifting feeling to see the ‘City of Good Neighbors’ — I know we always hear that term, but it’s true. When you see people step up to the plate and donate it’s great,” said Jickster, an on-air personality and director for special projects for 97 Rock. “FeedMore needs food 365 days of the year, not just around Thanksgiving time.”

They collected perishable and non-perishable food items, hygiene products, turkeys, and monetary donations throughout the eight day event, all to help support FeedMore Western New York’s mission of helping neighbors in need.

“You could be helping a co-worker–a family member–your neighbor down the street, your child’s classmate. You may not realize they are experiencing food insecurity, so many people struggle quietly,” said Catherine Shick, public relations manager for FeedMore WNY. “Events like Rock Out Hunger make it possible to nourish them, to support them, to let them know that they are not alone.”

According to FeedMore WNY, 1 in 8 adults face food insecurity, including 1 in 5 children. By dropping off donations in the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital parking lot or by making a donation online, the community helped support around 400 of FeedMore’s hunger relief partners and shelters.

Each donation also entered donors into winning prizes, including Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tickets, movie tickets, or an autographed Bills helmet signed by both Josh Allen and Jim Kelly.

For more information on Operation Rock Out Hunger, visit either 97 Rock’s page here or FeedMore WNY’s here. For more ways to help show your support for FeedMore WNY, click here.

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Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

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