Bills WR Mack Hollins visits Massachusetts Avenue Project to ‘spread the word’ about creating sustainable agriculture

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins and the Bills Foundation visited the Massachusetts Avenue Project for their end-of-school-year celebration, a tour of the facilities and to present the nonprofit urban farm with a $50,000 grant .

The Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) is an organization that employs young people year-round and teaches them job readiness and leadership skills through agriculture, cooking and farming education. nutrition. MAP uses soil, microorganisms, people and natural rhythms to create a low-input farm with healthy, safe produce and an educational framework.

Bills WR Mack Hollins visited the nonprofit Urban Farm on Buffalo’s west side this week to present the check and tour the farm. Hollins, who owns his own farm, said creating sustainable agriculture to combat food insecurity is a cause he has been passionate about during his NFL career.

“I have seen and personally know friends and teammates who grew up who never saw a farm, never saw a cow, never saw a chicken, other than on television,” Hollins said. “I had the chance to buy land and start my own farm.”

“Being able to know that I can give this to my family and friends is really awesome and being able to see projects like MAP doing this kind of thing for towns that don’t have the resources is really heartwarming.”

Located at 387 Massachusetts Ave, the Massachusetts Avenue Project also hosts weekly Farmers Market Days on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., where visitors can purchase local spring produce, soups, shrubs and syrups.

After signing with the Bills this offseason, Hollins said he looks forward to finding other ways throughout the year to continue to raise awareness about food insecurity and ensure everyone in Buffalo has access to healthy and sustainable food sources.

“We’re going to make sure our city is doing well first, and then we’re going to get the word out,” he said. “I’m happy to be a part of this team and be a part of it.”

You can learn more about the Massachusetts Avenue Project on their website and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest updates on community events.