PROGRAM

Topic: GENEVA CENTER OF CONCERN (Geneva Rotary Community Grant awardee)

Speaker: Cheryl Toor, in her 24^th year as Director – where she oversees all aspects of the organization, including the food pantry as well as special projects. Cheryl got the job after seeing an ad in the FL Times, after a career at Applied Graphic Technologies in Rochester.

• The Center staff consists of a store manager and part-time handy man – plus 50+ volunteers.
• It started in 1971 as a church outreach at Christmas time.  It has NEVER received government funding.  The Thrift Store funds the food pantry.
• Recently, the food pantry was remodeled and today looks similar to a small grocery store.  Clients walk through and choose the foods they want or need.
• Annual projects:  Operation Merry Christmas – full “North Pole Store” in the basement with toys, clothing, etc.  Clients shop with a personal shopper and choose the gifts to bring home for themselves and their loved ones.
• Geneva focused and based, but don’t turn away people in need from other places.  
• They stock an Emergency Pantry, that provides 3 meals/person in the household for 3 days, including meats.
• They get food donations from individuals, Wegmans and work with Food Link.  Can always use items not covered by food stamps – cleaning and paper supplies.
• The Baptist church does a monthly donation for diapers and formula – “Full Tummies and Dry Bottoms.”

Center of Concern by the numbers (as of 3^rd week of Sept.):

3904 client visits

9443 individuals served

85,987 meals provided so far

250 adults, 425 children regularly assisted

16,500 – $11,000 in student scholarships provided, $5000 in gift certificated provided for the annual Back to School Scholarships