Families attending in October and November can receive ingredients for a delicious Italian meal, and essentials for cold and flu season

BUFFALO, N.Y. (October 1, 2025) – Independent Health Foundation’s popular Good for the Neighborhood program returns in October with a fall series that celebrates Italian-American Heritage Month. This season, Buffalo-based Italian food manufacturer Rosina Food Products is joining the Independent Health Foundation to provide families with all the ingredients needed to cook a delicious Italian meal.

To celebrate Italian cuisine and healthy eating, Independent Health Foundation dietitians created a special recipe, Roasted Vegetable Baked Pasta with Rosina Italian Style Turkey Meatballs. The recipe and ingredients to make this delicious and nutritious meal are in the 500+ giveaway bags prepared by employee volunteers at Rosina. Families attending the events will receive fresh produce with their bags, along with vouchers for free frozen meatballs and pasta to take home.

“In honor of Italian-American Heritage Month, we’re proud to share our Rosina meatballs and pasta with families in our community through our partnership with the Independent Health Foundation,” said Russell Corigliano, co-founder and CEO of Rosina Food Products. “In every Italian family, food is more than just a meal—it’s laughter around the table and recipes passed down through generations. We hope these bags, lovingly packed by our employees, bring families together while showing that making healthier choices can be simple, delicious, and fun.”

“Through our Good for the Neighborhood program, we get to connect with people in our community and share resources that help them live healthier lives. We’re especially proud to have Rosina Food Products partnering with us,” said Carrie Meyer, Executive Director of the Independent Health Foundation. “Working together with our community and its leaders, we’re making a real difference in the health and well-being of the families we serve.”

In addition to the Rosina Food Products giveaways, the Independent Health Foundation is helping families prepare for the upcoming flu season. There will be hygiene bags available at all Good for the Neighborhood events, including toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoo. Vital Pharmacy will also be on-site at each event, offering vaccines for both flu and COVID-19. Attendees requesting a COVID-19 vaccine should bring their health insurance card.

The October and November schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, October 2nd | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Lackawanna City School District (135 Martin Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218)
  • Wednesday, October 8th | 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Westminster Community Charter School (24 Westminster Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215)
  • Thursday, October 16th | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. West Side Community Services (161 Vermont Street, Buffalo, NY 14213)
  • Thursday, November 6th | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Akron-Newstead Senior Center (5691 Cummings Road, Akron, NY 14001)
  • Saturday, November 22nd | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Rural Outreach Center (730 Olean Rd. East Aurora, NY 14052)