BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Stock The Freezer initiative just hit a milestone. In less than three weeks, Western New Yorkers have donated 12,000 meals through the program.
Nick Pitillo, owner of local restaurants Osteria 166 and Villaggio, launched Stock The Freezer on March 20. He came up with the idea after a tough couple of days-- Pitillo had to lay off 60 workers because of COVID-19. After starting Stock The Freezer, he's been able to re-hire 20 of them.
Through Stock The Freezer, families can order individual meals (starting at $8) or family size meals (starting at $29) for delivery. The meals are freezable, and orders of $50 or more are delivered for free. In addition to ordering for themselves, customers have the option to donate a meal for someone else. Stock The Freezer delivers donated meals to food pantries, charities, healthcare workers and other causes. Healthcare workers at Buffalo General Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Roswell Park and other hospitals have received meals from Stock The Freezer.
The program has also received donations from some famous Western New Yorkers. The family of Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas donated 1,000 mealslast week.
To order for your family, or to support people who may need a meal right now, check out stockthefreezer.com.
