A press conference was held Monday morning to announce the commencement of activities related to Giving Tuesday, and what local eateries are doing to raise funds for Community Missions.
As part of the global Giving Tuesday initiative, local establishments have teamed with the agency to provide needed funds for the less fortunate. Rainforest Café will donate 10 percent of its sales to Community Missions on Tuesday, Nov. 28, while TGI Friday's will do the same on Wednesday, Nov. 29. On Friday, Dec. 1, Power City Eatery will donate in the same fashion, as will Third Street Retreat on Saturday, Dec. 2. Lewiston's Village Bake Shoppe will also donate $1 for each "Cake in a Cup" sold throughout the week.
Community Missions Communications and Development Manager Christian Hoffman said, "For 92 years, Community Missions has met the needs of the less fortunate throughout Niagara County. We were founded as a shelter for those that found themselves homeless in Niagara Falls. And today, Community Missions stands as the largest private provider of basic human needs in Niagara County."
"The one thing that we've learned through those 92 years is that we're only as strong as our partners and our supporters," he added.
Rainforest Café and TGI Fridays are two of American Niagara Hospitality's restaurants located inside the Sheraton at the Falls.
"American Niagara Hospitality is pleased to be involved, once again with Community Missions, and trying to help them with supporting their programs," said Clayton Cobb, general manager of Rainforest Café. "This is our third year doing this. We're super-excited about being involved."
Third Street Retreat, Eatery & Pub General Manager Kallie Castetter said, "As a small business, this means a lot to us. And we really care about (Community Missions), as well."
The restaurant also has taken on agency clients. "We've found some of our best workers at the mission," Castetter said.
Power City Eatery owner and General Manager Joseph Hotchkiss said, "Last year was a great success for us. We had a lot of people come out and show their support for Community Missions. I'm hoping to do the same this year.
"Power City is very humbled to be asked to be a part of this. We believe in what Community Missions is doing for Niagara Falls, and we're just very happy to be a part of this day."
This is the fifth year Community Missions has participated in Giving Tuesday, and the third year in which the agency has teamed with local restaurants. Residents are asked to visit one - or all - of the participating eateries and show their support for Community Missions.
Hoffman said Giving Tuesday "inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes that they believe in, and it demonstrates how every act of generosity counts - and that they mean even more when we all give together."
Also on Tuesday, 100 high school students will visit Community Missions to learn about servant leadership, and to volunteer in the kitchen, food pantry and/or "Clothes Closet" programs in partnership with Leadership Niagara.
Managing Editor Joshua Maloni contributed to this report.
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