The #SpencerportTogether dinner subsidy program officially launched on March 23 – just one week after schools closed across Monroe County due to COVID-19. The subsidy began as a concept by Superintendent Dan Milgate, who wanted to provide free or reduced dinners to families financially impacted by COVID-19, beyond the district’s student breakfast-and-lunch distribution plan, and generate some revenue, albeit limited, to local restaurants. The response has been overwhelming. In just six weeks, the program has raised over $40,000 and served over 8,000 meals.
Community members and businesses donate to the subsidy through a partnership with the Spencerport Education Foundation. The #SpencerportTogether program is based on an honors system, with the understanding that only families who need assistance with meals will participate. On average, 350 to 400 meals have been served each day. A menu is established each week, listing the restaurants, meals, and prices (usually $2). The meals are served on weekdays between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. using a drive-thru system outside the High School west cafeteria (or the McDonalds in Spencerport if it is the participating restaurant that day).
Local restaurant owners provide meals for the program at a reduced cost. Bad Apples Bistro, Barton’s Hots, Chef’s Catering, Grandpa Sam’s, Martusciello’s (rolls), Spencerport McDonald’s, Perri’s Pizzeria, Plantation Party House, Spencerport Hots, and Texas Bar-B-Q Joint have all participated. The Spencerport Education Foundation then reimburses the restaurants for the subsidized amount.
When asked why he participates, Mike Perri, owner of Perri’s Pizzeria said, “We have always had a strong connection with the Spencerport community; they have embraced and supported us from the very day we opened our doors. I will continue to participate and affiliate the Perri’s Pizzeria brand with community-based initiatives in Spencerport. We spend a lot of time making pizzas, it’s nice to participate in this program to help make a difference.”
As a member of the Spencerport Education Foundation’s Board of Directors and having assisted in serving some of the dinners, Nancy Bodhorn, manager of Spencerport Federal Credit Union, saw first-hand how the program was helping those in the community financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bodhorn applied for an Alloya CARES Grant from Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union, SFCU’s Corporate Credit Union, to benefit the program. SFCU was awarded a $5,000 grant and immediately donated the funds to the Spencerport Education Foundation for the #SpencerportTogether dinner program.
Other program sponsors include LaBella Associates, Campus Construction Management, J. William Jewelers, MIDA Heating & Air Conditioning, Schultz Associates, Rotary Club of Spencerport, Brongo Contracting & Supply, Homesteads for Hope, and Spencerport Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The Ogden Police Department, Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department, and Spencerport Facilities team have all volunteered their services, and Palmers and Maine’s Food and Party Supply have donated containers and bags to the effort.
Ricktacular Printing recently fulfilled orders for over 1,000 #SpencerportTogether t-shirts, with all proceeds going towards the program. Nearly 3,000 additional meals for the community can now be subsidized thanks to this one sale. It has yet to be decided if there will be another round of sales.
Bridget Martin, president of the Spencerport Education Foundation, said, “People are so appreciative of this program. I am grateful we can do our part to help this community. One night when I volunteered, we had a lot of people getting pasta, and we ran out towards the end. We were doing what we could, with just meatballs and rolls, and the very last car had four children. When we brought their food out, we thanked them for being so patient, and the kids sang us a ‘thank you’ song. It touched my heart.”
Milgate agreed, then said, “We cannot thank enough all the donors, restaurants, and community partners who, without any hesitation, have stepped up to help. It has been so humbling for me to witness the strength and kindness shown through #SpencerportTogether, and I am just grateful to be part of it.”
With schools remaining closed for the rest of the academic year, the goal is to continue offering dinners for families affected by COVID-19 as long as possible. To donate to #SpencerportTogether, visit https://www.spencerporteducationfoundation.org/support.
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