Hundreds of families receive food, school supplies at Wednesday distribution

Rochester, N.Y. - Volunteers spent part of their day Wednesday helping local families in need.

Price Rite of Rochester, Feed the Children and Catholic Family Center teamed up for a food distribution event in Rochester.

The groups handed out nearly $100,000 worth of food, in addition to other items such as personal care materials, children’s books and backpacks filled with school supplies.

“Our mission is to serve the poor and vulnerable,” said Catholic Family Center President and CEO Marlene Bessette, “so we’re partnering with organizations that want to be able to reach out to the community and to identify those people that have the needs, that we can make sure those needs are fulfilled."

“We’re here to help these families,” said Joe Allegro, senior director of corporate partnerships for Feed the Children, “show them a little love today, and provide them with some dignity and help them get on their feet again – maybe just supplement their lives with some food and essentials and help the kids out to start the school year.”

Nearly 400 families received food and other materials at Wednesday’s event.