CNB's 12 Days of Giving: We are celebrating the holiday season by making donations to a dozen non-profit organizations to support their good work in our community.
St. Andrews Food Cupboard serves the needs of the over 300 hungry families with more than 1,100 meals every month in the 14609 and 14621 zip codes. The organization provides food, hygiene items, and clothing to every age, race and religion with single mothers and children comprising a majority of those served in their "shop-through" format. You can support their work by volunteering or donating items or funds.
Learn more on their Facebook page: St. Andrew's Food Cupboard
Serving residents of Bloomfield School District, the Blessing Room Food Pantry serves individuals experiencing a food emergency. Hosted by the St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish, Ontario County, the food pantry is open Wednesday and Saturdays from 10:00am-12:00pm, and on Fridays from 4:00pm-6:00pm. They also provide warm winter coats, children’s toys, and traditional holiday food baskets.
Learn more on their Facebook page: stbenedictonline.org/parish-ministries
St. Theodore's Catholic Parish serves the Gates and North Gates communities with a much-needed food pantry. The Food Cupboard is open Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 10am-12pm. Each week they list a food "Item of the Week" on their website that they are seeking for their food ministry. This week they are asking for Soup and Crackers, as well as regular items they need to keep the shelves stocked.
Learn more at: sttheodoreschurch.com
The Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance provides dynamic arts and cultural experiences for underserved families and youth in a safe, inspiring place for artistic expression—instilling pride and serving as a catalyst for community transformation. They host events all year to celebrate music, dance, and the visual arts. They are also a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Learn more at: josephavearts.org
The Victor-Farmington Food Cupboard serves more than 600 families per month who experience food emergencies in Ontario County. They are proud partner with local friends, businesses, and churches to offer 3-5 days worth of food to families. They welcome volunteers at their Victory, NY location, and also donations of either food or funds.
Learn more at: vffood.org
The Imagination Library of Rochester mails free, high-quality books each month to the homes of children from birth to age five. Since the organization's launch in July of 2021, they have enrolled more than 3,000 children in Rochester city limits. For $26, they can put a new book in the hands of a child every month for an entire year. They are an affiliate member of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.
Learn more at: rochesterimaginationlibrary.org
Foodlink believes that the fight against hunger and the fight against poverty are one and the same. They offer food support to food pantries throughout our region, host job-training programs, collaborate on community gardens, and so much more. With a 45-year history of mobilizing a diverse networks of community partners to address both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region of New York, they transform lives, advocate for equity, and create healthy futures for our community.
Learn more at: foodlinkny.org
The Geneva Center of Concern runs a food pantry and a thrift store to support those in need in the Geneva area. Their Operation Merry Christmas program helps ensure kids of all ages receive new toys and personal items during the holiday season. This year they're asking for donations for items for teens. "Each year, we struggle to meet the needs of older children and teenagers during Operation Merry Christmas."
Learn more at and check out the Wish Lists for kids items at: genevacenterofconcern.org
The mission of the Brockport Food Shelf is to reduce hunger by providing food relief to eligible residents.
Serving households in the Brockport School District, They provide fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and meats, and boxed and canned foods. They are open the first four Thursdays of each month from 9:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-6:00pm.
Learn more about Brockport Food Shelf at: brockportfoodshelf.org
The House of Mercy's Mission is living the spiritual and corporal works of mercy by serving the poor with unconditional love.
House of Mercy provides a wide range of valuable services to more than 4,000 people every month, many of whom are suffering severe poverty. For every $1,000 donated, they are able to provide 462 hot meals, 50 food bags, 88 nights of safe shelter, and serve 55 people with drop-in services.
Learn more about House of Mercy at: houseofmercyrochester.org
Homesteads for Hope's mission is to promote sustainable lifestyles and futures by creating a collaborative community to serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a deep focus on inclusivity, they operate a 55-acre farm directly on the historic Erie Canal, only 10 minutes from downtown Rochester. They offer a wide range of programs and events as well as a CSA food share, event rentals of their barn, and so much more.
"We are a Community Farm that empowers people of all abilities to learn, work, live, and grow in nature’s classroom. Located on the wide waters of the Erie Canal, we offer a place to belong. We grow more than tomatoes - we grow people’s unique purpose!"
Learn more about Homesteads for Hope at: homesteadsforhope.org
The Levine Center to End Hate's mission is to unite the Greater Rochester community in overcoming hate through education, dialogue, and positive action.
The 4th Annual Brave Spaces Summit will be held on Friday, May 3rd from 9am- 2pm. This engaging event is designed to address growing divisions in our community. "Brave Spaces seeks to help participants develop a deeper understanding of what is driving increased expressions of hate in greater Rochester and feel empowered to address bias in their spheres of influence."
Learn more about The Levine Center to End Hate at: endhateroc.org
CNB's Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is proud to support local organizations through its employee-led philanthropy program. Members of the committee proactively select local organizations to receive funds to support their work in fulfilling their mission.