Health & Wellness Program

Foodlink serves as the regional food bank for a 10-county service area surrounding Rochester and the Finger Lakes, acting as the hub of the emergency food system. Many of our nonprofit members, however, have product needs that extend beyond food.

In 2024, we proudly welcomed a new member of our team, Maria Wehrle, who led the nonprofit, Mothers in Need of Others (MINO), for decades. Maria was tasked — in partnership with our food bank team — to help launch a new Health & Wellness Program at Foodlink. 

Foodlink strives to meet the needs of the community and its partners to ensure they are positioned to serve their neighbors. We recognized the critical need for personal hygiene and cleaning products for the same clients who rely on our network for food assistance.

In 2025, MINO’s operations became fully integrated into Foodlink. 

Benefits of membership

Members of Foodlink’s Health & Wellness program can expect the following benefits:

  • Access to a greater variety of hygiene, baby & cleaning products

  • Online ordering through Foodlink’s shopping list

  • Larger product quantities available to better meet the growing needs in our community

  • Quality products below retail prices

  • Free delivery for orders of 10 or more cases
Program application

New Diaper Bank partnership

In 2025, Foodlink will become a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. Foodlink’s Health & Wellness Program and Food Bank teams will work in partnership with the Junior League of Rochester to take over local responsibilities related to the role. 

A Diaper Bank helps provide diapers and diapering supplies to partner organizations and social workers in the region. Monetary and product donations are accepted. 

FAQ

Why is a Diaper Bank needed in Rochester?

Although rates have improved in the past decade, in Rochester, the childhood poverty rate is more than double the state average at more than 40%.

The high cost of diapering

Diapers are not covered by any form of government assistance programs. Did you know that babies require, on average, 6 to 12 diapers per day? Disposable diapers can cost upward of $80/month, per child. Wipes can cost an additional $30/month. 

Diapers are a necessity

Without an adequate supply of diapers, families face an impossible choice of keeping children in dirty diapers or re-using soiled ones. Babies who remain in soiled diapers for a prolonged period of time are exposed to potential health risks, such as yeast and bacterial infections, and severe diaper rash. 

Why Foodlink?

Foodlink’s new Health & Wellness initiative is a perfect fit to host local Diaper Bank operations. Many benefits of membership with Foodlink are listed above. If you are interested in becoming a member, please fill out this form.

Thank you to our donors & supporters!

On top of all of the kind-hearted individuals who donate health and wellness products to us, the following schools, groups and organizations donated products to us in 2024. Thank you for supporting our work!

  • Action for a Better Community
  • Bethany Presbyterian
  • Center for Youth
  • Child Protective Services
  • Church of the Assumption
  • Church of the Resurrection
  • Cornerstone Grand Lodge
  • Esther Project - Cheryl Snead
  • Gates Presbyterian Church
  • Ibero-American Action League
  • Lake Avenue Baptist Church
  • Material Aids Society
  • Mercy High School
  • Monroe County Early Intervention
  • Monroe Plan
  • National Council of Jewish Women's PAD Project
  • Northside Church-Sisters on the Move
  • Not Your Average Church Girl
  • Our Mother of Sorrows Church
  • Parma Public Library
  • Pittsford Rotary Club
  • Scrapbook Creations-Keri Gray
  • Sewing Guild of Rochester
  • Smoothies Plus / Quigley's Cafe
  • The History Club-Mary Anderson
  • The Home Bureau
  • The Summit at Brighton
  • Willow Domestic Violence Center
  • Women's WE 3 Group & Harris Group
  • Zeta Amicae Sorority
MINO donation
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