Out of an abundance of concern, Gowanda Central School District is sharing resources to support all affected by the loss of SNAP funding and other forms of assistance during the federal government shutdown. This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Area residents experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to reach out to local food programs and community partners for support, including:
- Gowanda Food Pantry, 24 W. Main Street, Gowanda, NY. Call 1-716-532-6130 for more information.
- The Food Pantry at The Master’s Plan Community Church, 9586 Railroad Street, Dayton, NY. Call 1-716-725-9229 for more information.
- Love Inc., 15 W. Main Street, Gowanda, NY. Call 1-716-532-3541 for more information.
- The Connecting Communities in Action (CCA) Mobile Food Pantry. Call 1-716-945-1041 or email info@ccaction.org
- Pantry Finder: This tool can be used to direct families in need to their closest food pantry: https://www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/find-food/pantry-locator/
- The Seneca Nation’s Emergency Food program is reachable at 1-716-532-1028.
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The Seneca Nation of Indians Food Pantry is available to families on the territory. Call Jim Huff at 716-532-4900, ext. 5058.
FREE LOCAL MEALS:
- St. Joe’s Church, 26 Erie Avenue, Gowanda, is offering a free, eat-in-only meal on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. Call 1-716-532-5100.
- The Gowanda Moose is serving a free dine-in-only meal on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 6 p.m.
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MORE ON SNAP
SNAP households are encouraged to check the latest updates from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance:
- OTDA website: otda.ny.gov/shutdown
- myBenefits: mybenefits.ny.gov
- ebtEDGE app or hotline
If you are in need of food assistance, or are able to donate to a local food pantry, soup kitchen, or other assistance programs, visit 211wny.org to locate a food assistance program near you. In the “Find Resources” section, type “food” and enter your ZIP code, then filter results to show programs within a set number of miles from your location.
For questions about local SNAP case processing or to report urgent food needs, contact the Department of Social Services at (716) 661-8000.
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GOWANDA-AREA CHURCHES
- Assembly of God: 1-716-532-5038
- Collins Center United Methodist Church: 1-716-532-0030
- Collins Friends Church: 1-716-532-1004 (school)
- First Presbyterian Church 1-716-532-4292
- Gowanda Free Methodist Church: 1-716-532-5441
- Gowanda United Methodist Church: 1-716-532-4092
- Immanual Lutheran Church: 1-716-532-4342
- St. Joe’s Roman Catholic Church: 1-716-532-5100
- St. Mary’s Episcopal Church: 1-716-532-4352
- Trinity United Church of Christ: 1-716-532-3004
ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS:
- Adult Protection: 1-716-858-6877
- Catholic Charities: 1-716-856-4494
- Cattaraugus County Daycare Assistance: 1-716-373-8065
- Cattaraugus County Family Court: 1-716-379-6616
- Cattaraugus County HEAP: 1-716-373-8065
- Child Abuse: 1-800-342-3720
- Code Blue (Rural Outreach): 1-716-240-2220
- Community Action: 1-716-945-1041
- Department of Aging: 1-716-373-8032
- Domestic Abuse: 1-716-923-7483 and 1-716-945-1041
- Emergency Aid to Families (Chautauqua County): 1-800-365-3234
- Emergency Aid to Families (Erie County): 1-716-858-8000
- Erie County Daycare Assistance: 1-716-877-6666
- Erie County HEAP: 1-716-858-7644
- FeedMore WNY: 1-716-822-2202
- Gowanda Meadows Office: 1-716-532-5745
- Healthy Community Alliance Insurance Navigation: 1-716-532-1010
- Meals on Wheels (Cattaraugus County): 1-716-373-8010
- Medical Transportation: 1-800-651-7040
- NYS Employment: 1-888-209-8124
- Operation Good Neighbor: 1-716-627-5194
- Percy – Clean, Sober & Saved: 1-716-378-5084
- Red Cross: 1-716-886-7500
- Salvation Army: 1-716-883-9800
- Saving Grace: 1-716-257-3077
- Self Best: 1-716-337-3706
- Senior Help: 1-716-858-7870
- SNAP (Erie County): 1-716-858-7239
- Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
- Social Services (Cattaraugus County): 1-716-373-8065
- Social Services (Erie County): 1-716-858-8000
- St. Vincent DePaul Society: 1-716-532-5100
- The Safe House (Jamestown, New York): 1-716-661-9446 and 1-716-450-1596