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Rochesterians donate nearly $4 million to Community Crisis Fund
Rochesterians donate nearly $4 million to Community Crisis Fund
More than $3.8 million has been raised for the Community Crisis Fund, which was started roughly six weeks ago by the United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. and the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Nearly 600 individuals have donated more than $225,000 by mailing in donations or giving online. More than five dozen grants have been made, including the following last week:
• Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter
• Boys & Girls Club of Geneva
• Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes
• Keeping our Promise Rochester
• Mary Cariola Children’s Center
• Suzanne’s Comfort Care Home Inc.
Other community partners include ESL Charitable Foundation — which started the fund off with a $1 million donation — the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, the William & Sheila Konar Foundation, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Inc., Bank of America, Wegmans Food Markets Inc., M&T Bank and numerous others.
The United Way has received more than 5,000 homemade masks to provide to local nonprofits, but the agency anticipates some 50,000 or more masks are needed for nonprofit staff and clients.
More than 2,450 volunteer slots have been filled, agency officials said, but Hope Initiatives is looking for individuals with basic carpentry, woodworking or metalworking skills to assist with building furniture for those in need in the community. The organization also needs help with moving and deliveries.
St. Mark’s and St. John’s have responded to COVID-19 by delivering food each day to households across the community. Officials noted that demand continues to rise and their regular food supply is running out quickly. Donations of non-perishable food items can be made Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. or Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m.
All volunteer opportunities can be seen at www.uwrochester.org/covidvolunteer.
[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer
