Community Partnerships

The Center of Concern collaborates with several organizations in the Geneva region to enhance the breadth and delivery of services provided to our customers

 

For families and individuals referred by organizations such as churches, Our Lady of Peace Social Ministry, Salvation Army, FLACRA (Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency), Family Hope Center, Geneva ABCD (Agri-Business Child Development Center) and the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Center frequently provides clothing, household items and furniture.  Items from the Center Food Pantry are also available to those persons as needed.

 

The partnership with the Office of the Aging and local hospitals involves supplying medical equipment for people being released from care and others (such as walkers, commodes, wheelchairs, etc. )

 

The Center collaborates with other local pantries and food programs including the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities Community Lunch Program, North Street School (Center supplies school snacks for children going without).

Coordination with these agencies ensures needs are met in the community; excess items are shared within the food agencies to spread the wealth and to reduce waste.

 

Sourcing Food for the Center Food Pantry

 

A significant portion of the food needed for operation of the Center’s Food Pantry is received through Foodlink, a regional food hub/ member food bank, that serves a 10- county area and is headquartered in Rochester NY.

 

Several businesses and organizations are also critical for operation of the Center Food Pantry (Wegmans Food Markets, Walmart, Tops and others)

 

Wegmans donates food throughout the year, four days a week; items including prepared meals and baked goods and fresh fruits and vegetables are picked up by volunteers.  Volunteers also stop at the Catholic Charities Community Lunch Program two days a week to deliver extra fresh foods donated by Wegmans to supplement their program.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are also donated by the Cornell Technology Farm, Rose Valley Farm (David Stern owner) and from other local farmers and gardeners.  Rose Valley Farm donates a large amount of fresh produce every Tuesday (grown for seven pantries and picked by eight volunteers).

 

Partnership with Local School Districts

 

Eight to ten student scholar awards ($1,000-$1,500) are given annually to high school seniors enrolling in college, nursing programs or trade schools

 

Back-to-School Scholarships are given annually to local families that are selected with help from the Geneva School District. Each year 20, $250 awards are given to help families purchase needed items to begin the school year.

 

The Center also welcomes and benefits when students from local high schools and Hobart and William Smith Colleges volunteer throughout the year to assist on specific projects.