JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) kicked off its 15th annual “Cents for St. Susan’” campaign on Wednesday with major sponsors meeting to distribute coin canisters and to learn about the needs of St. Susan Center.
Once again this year, the bright yellow canisters will appear on counters at local stores, offices and restaurants to collect coins to benefit St. Susan Center. Money raised through the BPU campaign will be used to purchase food for people in our area who need nutritious meals in spring and summer when children are out of school and when families can more easily access the soup kitchen.
The BPU has raised $142,780 over the years of operating the fund drive.
Last year, the number of meals served at St. Susan Center reached 116,832, up 7.94% over 2013. In this past January, 2015, alone, 8,647 meals were served, up 1.95% from January, 2014. Most recently, St. Susan Center served its 2 millionth meal in 31 years.
“Cents for St. Susan’s” coin canisters will appear in the community through the first week of July. From April through June, people may also donate redeemable cans and bottles at the BPU’s Customer Service Office, 92 Steele Street, in the City.
Local sponsors have contributed $500-1000 each to the cause to bring the campaign pledge total to $10,000 to date. These generous donors include: KeyBank and DFT Communications at the $1000 level. Sponsors at the $500 mark include: Alfie’s Restaurant, Asplundh, Burgett and Robbins Attorneys, Century 21/Turner Brokers, Falconer Printing & Design, Inc., Chautauqua Metal Finishing Supply, Freed Maxick CPAs, The Legend Group with Lou Deppas, National Fuel, Northwest Savings Bank, Slone Melhuish Insurance, TJ’s Plumbing & Heating, Valu Hearing Services, Weinberg Financial Group and Wright, Wright & Hampton Attorneys. Boyles Motor Sales is a sponsor for May.
The Media One Group of radio stations and the Jamestown Post-Journal serve as media sponsors, providing space and time on their media outlets to benefit the drive. Farm Fresh Foods is contributing a hot dog sale to be held at the BPU Customer Service Office area in June.
An important segment of the fund drive is the BPU customers themselves who contribute by mail or who bring funds to BPU Customer Service at 92 Steele Street. Checks may be written to St. Susan Center and left at Customer Service or mailed to:
The BPU
c/o Becky Robbins, Communications Coordinator
P.O. Box 700
Jamestown, NY 14702-0700.
Customers may add an extra gift amount to their bill payments and note it on the pay stub when mailing in the gift.
“The BPU is proud and pleased to organize our 15th fund drive to benefit St. Susan Center and its customers,” said Mrs. Robbins. “The BPU cannot give away money to help local organizations, but we can give our time to raise money to help people in our community who are hungry. St. Susan Center and its volunteers provide a vital service in an atmosphere of acceptance and caring.”
St. Susan Center Executive Director Jeffrey Smith thanked the BPU for raising donations for the soup kitchen.
“The BPU is not only a source of energy to our community but they also help to bring light to the hunger problem that affects many in our community,” said Smith. “Through their caring and compassionate efforts, they have reached out to dozens of local businesses who have graciously agreed to have donation jars in their establishments.”
“Every dollar raised allows St. Susan Center to purchase $7 worth of food from the Food Bank of WNY,” continued Smith. “If you see a donation canister, please consider putting in your change for this community campaign.”
Canisters have been placed in the following locations throughout the community:
- AJ’s Texas Hots
- Affordable Chiropractic
- Alfie’s Restaurant
- Anderson Cleaners
- Arby’s
- Belleview East
- Best Western Hotel
- Brazil
- Brigiotta’s
- Cherry Lounge
- the Clip Joint
- Coffee Cup
- Comfort Inn
- Creative Imports
- DFT Office
- Dunkin Donuts
- Ecklofts
- Evans Discount Liquors
- Falconer Printing
- Farm Fresh Foods
- Fischers
- Goodtime Saloon
- Groomingdale’s
- Hampton Inn
- Holly Loft
- Hometown Grill
- Honest John’s
- Jamestown BPU Customer Service
- Jamestown Savings Bank and Northwest Savings Bank locations
- JB Liquors
- Jeremy’s Belleview
- Johnny’s Lunch
- Jones Bakery/Vahalla
- KeyBank locations
- Lakewood Apothecary
- Laury Optical
- Lisciandro’s
- Mirage
- Mojos
- Pal Joey’s
- Peterson Farms
- Press Room
- the Pub
- Raynor’s Liquors
- Richard’s Hair Design
- Robo Wash
- Salon One
- Save A Lot
- Shawbucks
- Schuylers
- Superior Energy Innovations
- Trinity Guitars
- Turner Brokers/Century 21
- US News
- The Wine Cellar.
Businesses which would host a canister are asked to contact Mrs. Robbins at 661-1680.
People who have questions or who have ideas of other ways to help the BPU “Cents for St. Susan’s” campaign may contact Mrs. Robbins at 661-1680 or by e-mail: brobbins@jamestownbpu.com. Smith may be reached at St. Susan Center at 664-2253.
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