Caption: Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey presents Community Schools Coordinator Bridget Beardsley and Superintendent Eileen Feinman with a citation recognizing the opening of the Eagle Exchange Food Center on the Wayland campus.
WAYLAND, N.Y. | October 20, 2026
Wayland-Cohocton Central School District (WCCS) celebrated the opening of the Eagle Exchange, a free school food center on its Wayland campus, on Friday, October 16. The new resource is designed to make nutritious food more accessible to students, families, and district employees while creating a welcoming space where everyone can feel comfortable accessing the food they need.
The opening celebration brought together school administrators, New York State Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey, Village of Wayland Mayor Phil Berry, and Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) President Kaya Rizzeri. During the event, Assemblywoman Bailey presented the district with a New York State Citation in recognition of the occasion.
Superintendent Dr. Eileen Feinman opened the celebration with remarks highlighting the far-reaching impact of food insecurity and the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food, “Approximately one in six children and one in eight adults struggle with food insecurity and wonder where their next meal will come from, underscoring the need for accessible resources within local communities,” she said.
Community Schools Coordinator Bridget Beardsley also spoke about the district’s hope that the Eagle Exchange will help students have their basic needs met so they can be better prepared for learning.
“When basic needs like food, safety, and stability are met, students are better able to show up, focus, build relationships, and reach their potential,” said Mrs. Beardsley. “By expanding the resources we offer at WCCS, we're strengthening not only our students, but our entire community.” She added, “It took the invitation and expertise of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, the support of our Superintendent, Dr. Feinman, and the willingness of so many people across WCCS and our community to step forward and help.”
Access to nutritious food can play an important role in students’ ability to concentrate, participate, and engage in their education. By helping remove barriers to learning, the district hopes the Eagle Exchange will contribute to student well-being and academic success.
“The Eagle Exchange is about more than providing food. It is about creating a culture where asking for support is welcomed, where everyone feels they belong, and where caring for one another is simply part of who we are as a school community.”
A Resource for the Entire School Community
Made possible with resources and grant opportunities available through the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, the Eagle Exchange provides free food options for WCCS students, families, and staff members.
There is no registration, application, or income qualification required to use the center. Individuals are not asked to provide their names, addresses, or financial information. The only information collected is an anonymous count of the number of people in each household being served, a requirement for maintaining the grant funding that supports the program.
The district wants everyone to understand that the Eagle Exchange is a resource for all of our school families. Whether a student needs a snack to get through the afternoon, a family needs additional groceries at home, or a staff member needs a little extra support, the center is intended to be a welcoming and practical resource.
Students in grades K–12 may access snack items throughout the school day, including those who may still be hungry after lunch or need something to hold them over before an after-school activity or dinner. Students in grades K–8 must be accompanied by a teacher when visiting the center.
Convenient Access for Families and Staff
Located near the Large Group Instruction (LGI) area on the WCCS Wayland campus, the Eagle Exchange is open during the school day for students from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Families with students enrolled in the district may also visit on Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. by entering through the LGI atrium. District employees are welcome to visit during regular school-day hours to pick up groceries and other available food items for their households.
The district is introducing students to the center through classroom visits, providing opportunities for them to become familiar with the space, learn what is available, and understand how they can access the resource for themselves or their families.
Growing Through Community Support
While grant opportunities provide an important foundation for the Eagle Exchange, community contributions can help expand the variety of groceries and food options available.
Individuals wishing to make a financial contribution may scan the donation QR code displayed at the center’s entrance and select Wayland-Cohocton Central School on the donation page. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier will ensure that contributions are credited to the district’s account for future use in supporting the food center.
The opening of the Eagle Exchange represents another step in WCCS’s ongoing commitment to supporting the whole child and the well-being of its families and employees. By making nutritious food more accessible and fostering an environment free of stigma, the district hopes to strengthen a culture of care, connection, and community.
At its heart, the Eagle Exchange reflects a simple belief: everyone deserves access to nutritious food, and everyone should feel welcome to receive support when they need it.
For more information about the Eagle Exchange, contact Wayland-Cohocton Central School District or visit https://www.wccsk12.org/page/eagle-exchange.