BUFFALO, N.Y. — Fans’ weekly football preparations are set to include friends, drinks, and food, but a local popcorn business shows why food is more than just a football snack. It’s a tool that can bring the community together for a good cause.
September is pediatric cancer awareness month, it is also when Chenez’s Popcorn introduced their Buffalo Bills Mafia Mix, a medley of blue, red, and white candied popcorn alongside M&Ms, peanuts, and pretzels. 8% of Mafia Mix sales are benefiting P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.
Event Coordinator for P.U.N.T., Celia Jones, said fundraising like this helps the organization pay medical bills for childhood cancer.
"We spend an average of $15,000 a month paying bills for families facing pediatric cancer and none of that would be possible if we didn't have businesses and individuals in our community supporting us," she said.
P.U.N.T.’s goal is to provide aid for families facing pediatric cancer through financial, emotional, and practical means, states the organization’s website. The Bills-themed popcorn fundraiser is fitting for P.U.N.T as they are supported by Bills tight end Dawson Knox, who is personally connected to pediatric cancer.
"He really adopted our mission when his cousin battled their own pediatric cancer battle so he's like really the face of our organization and we really appreciate having such an amazing person and player support us,” said Jones.
Another Bills connection comes from Dawson’s jersey number 88 which inspired 8% of Mafia Mix sales to go to P.U.N.T.
Chenez’s Popcorn owners, Todd and Karla Chenez, said their popcorn can help make a difference in the community.
"People are always looking for ways to raise money for their organizations, and we utilize again our popcorn to help organizations," Todd Chenez said.
What was originally set for a limited time, Chenez’s Popcorn owners said Mafia Mix may be here to stay.
"It was just for the season when we first introduced it, but we want to have it all year so throughout the year, we're going to take part of the proceeds and give them to different parts of Western New York helping out our community where we can," said Karla Chenez.
It is not only popcorn helping to support pediatric cancer as various businesses in the area are also giving back to the cause.
“We’re running a chicken wing with Bar Bill, they did that the last two years with us. 2 Scoops Ice Cream in Hamburg is working with us this September, and Sonic is selling a slush and doing little paper icons for us,” said P.U.N.T.’s Celia Jones.
You can help support P.U.N.T with Mafia Mix available at Chenez’s Popcorn locations in Lockport, Olcott, and Kenmore.