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Buffalo City Mission launches fall campaign to raise $2.35 million by end of 2018

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Thu, Oct 4th 2018 04:40 pm
Announcement coincides with launch of 3rd annual 'Mission Possible: Food Drive Challenge'
On Thursday, the Buffalo City Mission announced the launch of its annual fall fundraising campaign and the kickoff of its third "Mission Possible: Food Drive Challenge" to help educate the younger generation on the importance of becoming an advocate for those who are less fortunate. Both initiatives represent important annual efforts to advance the City Mission's work in providing critical programs and services for the homeless of Buffalo.
Through this year's fall campaign, the City Mission asks for community support to help raise $2.35 million between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 - representing 32 percent of the organization's annual budget. The campaign is a significant annual fundraiser that helps the City Mission provide the finances and resources necessary to sustain its year-round work in saving the poor and homeless.
Last year, the City Mission served more than 170,000 meals and provided 70,000 safe nights of sleep shelter.
"With homeless up by 9 percent over last year, the need is still great. Our annual fall campaign is an important time where we rely on the generosity of this special community," said Stuart Harper, CEO and executive director of the Buffalo City Mission. "Our $2.35 million goal will enable us to continue providing the services and programs that have the power to rescue, change and transform lives. Every contribution, from every individual, will have meaningful impact that helps us continue our work in serving the community."
The City Mission coincided this campaign launch by kicking off its third year of "Mission Possible: Food Drive Challenge," where students across Western New York will compete to collect the most canned goods possible for the Buffalo City Mission. The "Mission Possible Program" student teams will come together to develop a vision and strategy of how to track, measure and accomplish goals, and earn character milestone "badges" that recognize the importance of being a visionary, having kindness, compassion, generosity, and also being a community changer.
Last year's program raised more than 30,000 canned goods that provided more than 8,000 individual meals for the homeless.
"Last year's winner of the 2017 'Mission Possible Food Drive Challenge' was St. Mary's Elementary School, raising over 4,780 canned goods between both challenge periods and exceeding their goal by 717 percent," said Aubrey Calhoun, associate executive director for the City Mission. "This annual challenge represents the very best of giving back from our region's younger generation. The overwhelming success of last year's program by raising more than 30,000 canned goods that provided more than 8,000 meals for the areas demonstrated the power of teamwork, creativity and character to help those who are homeless and our community neighbors who are struggling to meet their practical food needs."
Calhoun added, "This program enables our community youth to become advocates and to develop important life skills to forge paths to future success. We salute all students involved in this year's 'Mission Possible Food Drive Challenge,' and we look forward to seeing what our students will be able to accomplish this year!"
Robin L. Wolfgang, communications officer for Buffalo Citibank, said, "Citi is pleased to once again sponsor the great 'Mission Possible Food Drive School Challenge' of the Buffalo City Mission. Partnering with the Buffalo City Mission on this student program to help end hunger highlights our corporate mission to help address complex social and economic challenges around the world. Citi partners with strong community organizations, like the Buffalo City Mission, to develop ideas that drive progress and strengthen communities."
"GEICO is pleased to again partner with the Buffalo City Mission and area schools," said Deanna Rizzotto, regional public affairs coordinator for GEICO. "Together, we will make a positive impact on the lives of our neighbors and take steps to help end hunger and homelessness."
The competition will take place in two, 12-week challenge periods, with the first from Oct. 2 to Dec. 14, and second from Feb. 5 to April 19, 2019. Features include, but are not limited to, a rolling e-scorecard to track team progress, creative activations with contributed canned goods, ongoing rallies, awards, and active involvement from the challenge mascot, Agent Can Man. The goal is to generate 35,000 canned goods to assist the hungry and homeless.
This year's "Mission Possible" challenge is sponsored by key community partners Rich Products, Citi, Geico, Windsong Radiology Group and Clover Group. Together, these partners have provided more than $50,000, which helps advance the City Mission's work and programs.
To learn more about the annual fall campaign and how a donation can help restore a life of a fellow Buffalonian, visit buffalocitymission.org.
To learn more about "Mission: Possible" and how to register a team, visit bcmpossible.org/register.
To stay updated on both initiatives, follow Buffalo City Mission on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Buffalo City Mission
The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a nonprofit organization providing preventative, emergency and transitional housing programs to thousands of people who are homeless and impoverished every year. The City Mission includes a women and children's shelter (Cornerstone Manor), the Men's community center, and the Dick Road thrift store to serve the Western New York community. For more information, visit buffalocitymission.org or call 716-854-8181.

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