(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - Thousands of dollars in food and gift certificates, donated by Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) Members, have been distributed to hundreds of needy families throughout the Buffalo area through several charitable and non-profit groups in an effort to help “make sure those families enjoy a meal and to show love for our neighbors and community,” BTF President Rich Nigro announced.

With the help of Hutch Tech’s students, more than 120 shopping bags were filled with food for a holiday meal, including corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing mix, and dinner rolls - as well as a $15 gift certificate to help purchase a turkey.

The students gathered at BTF Headquarters on the corner of Porter Avenue and Niagara Street, forming an assembly line and filling each bag before sending it down to “quality control” to make sure not one item was missed.

To thank the students, a well-deserved pizza party afterward at the BTF headquarters.

In addition to the 120 bags of food, BTF Members donated more than 300 boxes of food to help replenish food pantries of several area charitable groups.

The BTF’s Thanksgiving Day meal donations were distributed to families through the following local charitable and non-profit groups: The Gloria Parks Community Center; Native American Community Services; Fulgham Family Foundation; City Mission; Friends for a Better Buffalo, and Community Action Organization.