In 2013, Andy Egressy spoke with a friend who shared how difficult it was for rural food pantries to get bread. The conversation brought back a vivid memory from Andy’s childhood in the early 1940s. Growing up on a working farm in Angola, New York, his family would drive to Buffalo to pick up an entire truckload of bread and donuts for just $2.00. Though the bread was no longer fresh enough to sell, it was still perfectly good. Back then, they used it as animal feed and sometimes breakfast for themselves with a little milk. Andy realized that if he could reconnect food manufacturers with food pantries, the people who truly needed the food could benefit.
With that goal in mind, he approached local bread manufacturers. Andy was determined to bridge the gap between food manufacturers and food pantries. With his determination and assurance that the donation will never be sold, donations began to flow from the manufacturer to the pantries to those in need.
As trust in Andy grew, so did the volume of bread. And it did not stop there. Soon, manufacturers began offering cookies, chips, stuffing, and even jelly. One grateful jelly producer reached out directly, offering annual pallet-sized donations. Andy gladly accepted, and the pantries gained a consistent supply of jelly. What started with one tray of bread at 4:00 a.m. pickups became a large-scale effort. At one point, Andy and his helpers were collecting over a ton of jelly each year, in addition to thousands of loaves of bread. He also inspired other Masonic Lodges to get involved, expanding the program’s reach.
Today, Brothers of the Bread supports approximately twenty food pantries across Western New York. We now distribute between 4,000 and 8,000 loaves of bread and treats each month, over 2,000 bags of snacks annually, and more than twelve tons of jelly every year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we even received and distributed large donations of hand soap and sanitizer.
More Than a Name
The phrase “Brothers of the Bread” captured the spirit of Andy’s work—rooted in brotherhood, bound by compassion, and focused on delivering real relief.
Andy Egressy passed away on March 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, determination, and service. His unwavering commitment to feeding the hungry and connecting those in need with resources others overlooked continues to inspire our work every day. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every loaf of bread delivered, every pantry restocked, and every act of kindness carried out in his name. Brothers of the Bread remains dedicated to honoring his mission and expanding the vision he so passionately brought to life.
Andy Egressy Featured in the East Aurora Living Magazine
Our Work Today
Today, Brothers of the Bread is part of the Blue Star Charitable Corporation, LLC., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As a 501(c)(3), we are able to obtain food donations from manufacturers who require this nonprofit status.