August 2022 Newsletter

THE BIG NEWS IS THAT THE GURU KRUPA FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED OUR WFBP A GRANT TO COVER THREE SCHOOLS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR. THAT’S A TOTAL OF $22,500. WE ARE INCREDIBLY HONORED THAT THEY HAVE FOUND OUR PROGRAM TO BE WORTHY OF THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT. PLEASE CONTACT MICHELE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HOST A COLLECTION OR ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE A RISE IN NUMBER OF FAMILIES COMING INTO THE ESSENTIALS CLOSET. WE’VE HAD OVER 100 INDIVIDUAL VISITS PER OPENING REPRESENTING OVER 300 FAMILY MEMBERS.   RYAN KNUTSEN FROM TROOP 5 COMPLETED HIS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT BY RAISING FUNDS TO PURCHASE 20 SHELVING UNITS FOR THE PANTRY. RYAN THEN HAD A TEAM OF SCOUTS JOIN HIM TO ASSEMBLE THE SHELVING, ORGANIZE AND RESTOCK THE PANTRY.   MONSIGNOR FARRELL’S FOOTBALL TEAM COLLECTED SEVERAL CAR LOADS OF FOOD (PANCAKE MIX, SYRUP, GRANOLA BARS, CEREAL) FOR THE PANTRY AND DELIVERED, SORTED AND STOCKED THE SHELVES FOR ITS NEXT OPENING. PLEASE CONTACT MICHELE FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.  LOCATED ON FORT WADSWORTH WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM BLUE STAR FAMILIES, THIS SITE IS OPEN TWICE A MONTH.

OUR BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.  WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE NOTEBOOKS, PENS, PENCILS, CRAYONS AND MUCH MORE TO OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS.   WE ALSO SELECTED THREE STATEN ISAND TEACHERS TO MEET US AT STAPLES WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO SELECT MOST NEEDED ITEMS FOR THEIR CLASSROOMS. IN ADDITION WE USED DONORS CHOOSE TO FULFILL SEVERAL PROJECTS POSTED BY LOCAL TEACHERS.

The winning ticket was purchased by Laura Lipkin. Laura decided to have us fulfill two projects listed on Donors Choose, combined we donated $270. The winner donates to his/her favorite charity; it is not kept by the ticket holder. To participate, go to our website and donate via Venmo or PayPal. We suggest putting $60 (for six months or $100 for 10 months).

UPCOMING EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR THIRD JUNIOR GIVING CIRCLE.  BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER ST CLARE SCHOOL WILL JOIN US WITH THEIR NEWLY FORMED JUNIOR GIVING CIRCLE. FOR INFORMATION ON STARTING A JUNIOR GIVING CIRCLE AT YOUR SCHOOL PLEASE CONTACT KATHY BARZAL AT KATHYSIGC@GMAIL.COM

To make a donation please use the following:Venmo: @StatenIslandGivingCirclePayPal:SIGivingCircle@aol.comChecks may be mailed to:Staten Island Giving CirclePO Box 120301Staten Island NY 10312

OUR MONTHLY SERVICE PROJECT WILL BE FULL SIZE TOILETRIES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. ITEMS BEING COLLECTED: DEODORANT (MEN & WOMEN) TOOTHPASTE TOOTHBRUSHES SOAP RAZORS SHAVING CREAM

We get inquiries for teens looking to score service hours to satisfy school requirements. We have been recommending the students organize a collection of food (cereal, granola, fruit cups) to be used for our Food Insecurity initiatives.Students can create flyers, host the collection and deliver to the recipient for their service credit. Please contact us for a list of items needed.

Please contact Evelyn or Michele before making ANY DONATIONS and dropping off on Evelyn’s porch. In the past few weeks books and clothing left without notice were left in the rain and had to be discarded. To ensure this doesn’t happen in the future, please call or email and wait for an acknowledgement before leaving bags unattended.

Michele Yacovello 917.733.7937 MicheleSIGC@gmail.com Evelyn Kormanik 718.980.4862 sigivingcircle@aol.com

Our meetings are held at Oakwood Heights Community Church, 345 Guyon Avenue. The morning meeting is at 9am, in person only.  The evening meeting is at 7pm, in person and Zoom. Please see schedule below for upcoming dates.