Buffalo City Mission's 'Mission: Possible Food Drive Challenge' raises 33,000 canned goods for region's poor and homeless

Annual competition culminated with rally celebrations at winning schools across Western New York

On Friday, the Buffalo City Mission culminated a two-day, four-stop rally to celebrate the end of a successful third year of its “Mission: Possible Food Drive Challenge.”

It was a milestone year for the competition, which collected 33,000 canned goods – an increase of nearly 9,000 cans from the previous year – which will help to feed more than 8,300 hungry individuals.

“The ‘Mission: Possible Food Challenge’ is inspired by the positive, cross-generational impact that we can make in the lives of our community’s homeless,” said Aubrey Calhoun, associate executive director for the Buffalo City Mission. “As we conclude the third year of this challenge, we are inspired by the energy, creativity and passion of the schools and students who have dedicated their time to help others as part of their core curriculum. Our deepest gratitude and admiration to every individual involved.”

Twenty-two schools, youth organizations and colleges also engaged across the region. This year’s top “Mission: Possible” winners included:

Champion: Clarence Middle School raised more than 842% of its projected goal.

Second Place: West Buffalo Charter School raised more than 316% of its projected goal.

Third Place: Creekside-Amherst Christian Academy raised more than 268% of its projected goal.

Fourth Place: Buffalo State College (NSSLHA Buffalo State) raised more than 216% of its projected goal.

The Buffalo City Mission’s corporate partners (Citi, Clover Group, GEICO, Rich Products Corp. and Windsong Radiology) and supporting sponsor (National Grid), together, have provided more than $55,000, which helps fund the City Mission’s after-school and summer camp programming for children impacted by poverty and homelessness.

Citi, GEICO and Windsong Radiology hosted dedicated can drives, which their internal staffs facilitated to support this year’s challenge.

“Citi applauds the hard work of all the students, teachers and schools who participated in the 2018-2019 ‘Mission: Possible School Food Drive Challenge,’ ” said Robin L. Wolfgang, communications officer, Citi. “Our corporate mission is to enable growth and economic progress, which this program does in spades by finding solutions for one of society’s most daunting challenges. For the past three years, Citi has been a premier corporate sponsor of this amazingly creative program at the Buffalo City Mission, because it not only ignites the passion of the next generation in supporting the fight against hunger, but it also incorporates important business skills like problem-solving, teamwork and marketing. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Buffalo City Mission.”

“We are extremely proud of every student and teacher who worked on the BCM ‘Mission: Possible’ campaign or donated food to help out kids and families they will never meet,” said Howard J. Rich, vice president, corporate relations, Rich Products. “Bob, Mindy and all of our associates value the opportunity to help in this communitywide effort to provide nutritious food to the underserved communities in WNY. It is our privilege to partner with the Buffalo City Mission to bring a meaningful and life-changing impact to the neighbors in our community.”

To learn more about “Mission: Possible” and how a school can register for next year’s challenge, contact Sue Cervi at 716-854-8181, ext. 408.

About 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. Follow BCM on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BuffaloCityMission) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CityMission).