GNY EP.142 | Jack Pflanz from Erin’s Angels – Fighting Child Food Insecurity in Central New York
In this powerful episode of Good News York, host Mike Brindisi sits down with Jack Pflanz, Director of Fund Development and Communications at Erin’s Angels of Central New York, for an emotional and inspiring conversation about fighting child food insecurity.
Jack shares his personal journey from growing up in food insecurity in Utica’s projects to dedicating his life to ensuring no child has to experience what he did. He opens up about his childhood struggles, the hostile environment he navigated, and how those experiences fuel his passion for the work he does today.
The conversation dives deep into the heartbreaking story of Erin Maxwell, the young girl whose tragic death inspired the creation of Erin’s Angels. Jack reveals the shocking details of Erin’s life and death, and how her memory drives the organization’s mission to feed children in need and advocate for stronger child protection laws through the New York State Children’s Bill of Rights.
Throughout the episode, Jack discusses the various programs Erin’s Angels offers, including their school-based meal bag program, scholarship fund, community giveaways, and upcoming fundraising events. He emphasizes the staggering statistic that one in five children in Central New York go to bed hungry on any given night, and explains how the organization is building sustainable infrastructure to feed not just today’s children, but future generations.
This episode is a testament to the power of turning personal pain into purpose, and how one organization is making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children across Central New York.
Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction & Welcome
1:30 – Meet Jack Pflanz from Erin’s Angels
3:00 – Jack’s Background: Growing Up in Food Insecurity
4:45 – Finding Purpose Through Erin’s Angels
4:55 – What is Food Insecurity?
5:40 – Teaching Kids to Appreciate Food
7:11 – Erin Maxwell’s Heartbreaking Story
9:30 – The Mission of Erin’s Angels
10:35 – Programs: Scholarships & The Phoenix Program
12:44 – Root Causes: Poverty & Food Insecurity
14:06 – Amazon Partnership & Community Giveaways
16:34 – Upcoming Events: Hockey for Hope & Purple Party
20:37 – Super Bowl SOUP-er Drive
21:17 – How You Can Get Involved
23:01 – Building Long-Term Infrastructure
24:45 – Success Stories: Kids Going to College
26:28 – NY State Children’s Bill of Rights Petition
27:12 – Final Thoughts & Closing
Good News York:
www.goodnewsyork.com
This Episode’s Sponsor:
Ads on the Go – Your mobile advertising solution
www.getadsonthego.com
Erin’s Angels of CNY
www.erinsangels.com
Upcoming Events:
🏒 Hockey for Hope – Syracuse Crunch Fundraiser
January 24th, 7:00 PM
Get tickets: www.erinsangels.com/crunch
đź’ś Purple Party – Erin’s Heavenly Birthday Celebration
February 7th, 6:00 PM at Monterey’s
688 County Route 10 #90
Sign the Petition:
Support the New York State Children’s Bill of Rights at www.erinsangels.com
