2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y
wnyresponds.org
UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS, UNPRECEDENTED collaboration WN Y COV ID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND There is strength in numbers – especially when an entire community unifies for the greater good. In 2020 we faced serious challenges, loss and uncertainty together. When the pandemic arrived at doorsteps in mid-March 2020, dozens of funders in Western New York joined forces quickly to respond to the rapidly changing needs in our community. Led by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, The John R. Oishei Foundation, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, a convening call was held on March 13, 2020, to assess the willingness to stage a coordinated and regional philanthropic response. There was a resounding “yes” and the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund was created. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation and the Western New York Foundation
joined in leading the effort that rapidly grew to include more than 60+ funding partners. Weekly calls were initiated to ensure the entire group was receiving up-to-the-minute information on needs in the community and to ensure the collective response was coordinated through a racial equity lens. What happened in rapid succession is testament to the collective generosity and willingness of hundreds of foundations, corporations and individuals to support our region through one of the darkest years in recent memory. The next few pages detail the Fund’s two simultaneous approaches to grantmaking to address the immediate needs in our community and fund solutions to long-term challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
100+ 1,900+
foundations, corporations and community leaders
individual donors
$14.2 million
granted through July 31, 2021 to support organizations serving all eight counties of WNY
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A DDRESSING B A SIC NEEDS The first priority when the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund launched was to ensure funds were distributed as efficiently and effectively as possible to organizations serving on the frontlines of responding to the crisis. Less than two weeks after publicly announcing the establishment of the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund, the collective group announced its first round of funding. In 2020 and 2021, there were four rounds of funding totaling more than $11.3 million that addressed immediate needs in our community in the areas of food, housing, healthcare, childcare, mental health, transportation and other emergency services.
Funding went to organizations serving residents throughout the 8 counties of Western New York. Grants were given at strategic times to fill gaps in emergency needs until public funding was available. Grants supported efforts that were directly helping families and individuals with everything from sourcing personal protective equipment to providing childcare for students in remote and hybrid learning centers to supporting mental health organizations that had a growing waiting list of clients who needed support. Grants ranged in size from $500 to $300,000.
April 8, 2020
April 29, 2020
May 28, 2020
February 11, 2021
$4.5 million to 74 organizations
$1 million to 35 organizations
Nearly $1 million to 47 organizations
$4.5 million to over 300 organizations
MICROGR A NTS While dispersing the immediate response grants, it became abundantly clear that grassroots organizations were also playing an important role during the COVID-19 crisis and needed a different level of support. Recognizing that, a team was convened in
Top needs covered:
housing
healthcare
childcare
each county to rapidly deploy resources to small urban and rural organizations to support needs ranging from stocking community food pantries to purchasing bus passes for families in need of transportation. Grants ranged in size from $500 - $2,500.
mental health
food
To see a full list of all the organizations that received grant funding in 2020 and 2021, please visit WNYResponds.org WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y | 3
transportation
Gratitude FROM GRANTEES
Mobile Food Market, Jamestown | “The grant from the WNY COVID-19 Response Fund was very helpful because we had nothing in our budget to address the need for pandemic supplies. The funding helped support a few efforts, some that may seem small to others but greatly impacted our operations.”
The Belle Center | “Frankly, I do not know how we could meet this critical need for our children without the support that we have received from the WNY Community COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds have been life savers for both the Belle and our children.”
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YWCA Niagara Frontier | “The YWCA of the Niagara Frontier staff adapted to serving the needs of our community in many ways with the support of a WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund grant. Our school staff quickly adjusted planning summer care programs and sending virtual connections to the kids and Child Protective Services and local police, and District Attorney’s office liaison staff began checking in remotely with their clients. The safehouse staff has been taking care of a family and doing a lot of sanitizing and cleaning. And 19 families of women and children living at Carolyn’s House were given face masks and hand sanitizer.”
Rural Outreach Center | “ In the past year, many kids have been isolated from their friends and school environments. A grant from the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund allows The Rural Outreach Center (ROC) to provide kids with fun opportunities to grow and learn alongside their peers in a safe environment through programs such as The ROC Summer Enrichment Program.”
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Solutions FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER In June 2020, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund decided to expand its response to the pandemic and look toward recovery by inviting stakeholders to strengthen key systems through new solutions. What has unfolded across the 8 counties of Western New York through Moving Forward Together is nothing short of inspiring. The Fund proactively convened four initiatives and also
issued a call to our community to share their best ideas to address long-standing issues through collaborative solutions. To date, the Fund has granted out $2.36 million to support 18 initiatives that encompass more than 612 partners. Understanding the long-term timeline to collectively address many of these initiatives, a group of funders has committed to continuing to support these efforts into 2022 and beyond.
PROAC TI V E INITI ATI V ES Strengthen the Food System Ensuring that everyone has access to good quality food — and that we support our local producers— has been a critical need during the COVID-19 crisis. As a communityfocused, regionally coordinated planning effort facilitated by the WNY Foundation, Food Future WNY was convened to strengthen our food system. SCALE, a national consulting group, is leading the effort that includes a diverse group of key stakeholders, including urban and rural farmers, distribution partners and key nonprofits on the front lines.
The SCALE team visits Gakwi:yo:h Farms and enjoys traditional mush made by Michael Snyder as he shares the Seneca Nation of Indians work to preserve its rich agricultural legacy.
Food Future WNY is working to build a more vibrant, resilient, equitable and prosperous food system. Learn more at FoodFutureWNY.org.
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Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sourcing reliable and affordable vendors for PPE was a challenge at the start of the pandemic. By working with local nonprofit Visually Impaired Advancement (VIA), a coordinated effort was created to source and purchase PPE to ensure nonprofits had the equipment they needed to safely serve our community. In 2020, more than 100 nonprofits purchased reliable and affordable PPE through this effort.
Developing Public Policy The Fund awarded a grant to the Partnership for the Public Good to embark on a yearlong public policy and advocacy initiative. In partnership with the nonprofit sector, and with significant input from the community, this effort is focused on making changes to public policy at local and state levels to address the long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis. For example, the team is advocating for permanent changes to expand telehealth coverage.
Achieving Digital Equity and Inclusion Our service delivery system completely changed during the pandemic to one that is far more reliant on virtual and electronic communications. The Fund convened an initiative, facilitated by the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, to bring together more than 35 organizations to collectively work on solutions to bridge the digital divide through equity and inclusion in both urban and rural areas of Western New York. The group has been focused on advocacy efforts including seeking community input as federal funding becomes available to support bridging the digital divide. Additionally, the group is working on an 8-county resource guide to provide helpful tools and connect groups working toward the same goal. Learn more at wnydigitalequity.org.
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ENCOUR AGING NEW IDE A S In June 2020, a Request for Ideas (RFI) process was launched to surface collaborative solutions from nonprofit leaders to address challenges our community is facing. The response exceeded all expectations and 14 grants were awarded encompassing 300 partners to plan and/or implement these solutions in a wide array of sectors.
RFI GR ANTEE SPOTLIGHT: Safeguarding Children of Arrested Parents in Buffalo/WNY
Police officers are in a unique position to reduce the potential trauma to children who are present during an arrest – a life-altering experience that may well be the worst day of their lives. The Osborne Association worked with community stakeholders, government agencies, area nonprofits and local law enforcement to assess community needs and develop child sensitive arrest policies. Osborne and the Buffalo Police Department are now working to train and support more than 750 officers and staff in these child-sensitive protocols. The project will also document the development and implementation of these trainings as a tool for ongoing technical assistance and to provide a model for other law enforcement agencies. RFI GR ANTEE SPOTLIGHT: WNY Refugee and Asylee Consortium
Strategic Plan
When the Moving Forward Together grant was awarded to the five agencies that comprise the Western New York Refugee and Asylee Consortium (WNYRAC) including: Catholic Charities of Buffalo; International Institute of Buffalo; Jericho Road Community Health Center; Jewish Family Services of Western New York; and Journey’s End Refugee Services, it reinvigorated a collaborative effort that was then prepared to respond together to receiving an anticipated 300 Afghan evacuees. Using the grant, the agencies are looking at service duplication, individual agency strengths, the creation of lead roles in specific programming, and agency sustainability to create a clearer and more sustainable set of services for the foreign born. RFI GR ANTEE SPOTLIGHT: Orleans Digital Literacy Educational Initiative
In 2020, the Orleans United Way formed the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative to study community needs resulting from the lack of reliable, high-speed broadband internet service options in the county with funding from the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund. They learned that there were large gaps in internet availability, significant internet unreliability, economic barriers and general lack of technical skills across 10 towns and four villages. The Orleans United Way conducted focus groups to evaluate and prioritize solutions designed to largely improve digital literacy. A Community Mentors program was the first of 14 solutions developed to facilitate internet access and digital learning, providing more equitable programs and services within reach across the county. The Moving Forward Together grant is enabling the Orleans United Way to embed tech coaches and basic internet education programs into local nonprofit groups, libraries and community organizations. 8 | WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y
UNPRECEDENTED Generosity When the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund was created, the response from our community to support the effort was truly remarkable. In just the first two weeks, the Fund received approximately $5.5 million from local foundations, private sector companies and individuals. Donations have ranged from $10 to million-dollar gifts, all adding up to an incredible opportunity to support our community during the crisis in a coordinated way.
LEADING PARTNERS This group of funders has taken a leadership role in bringing together the funding community to stage, staff and see this collective effort through.
WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y | 9
FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS AAA Western and Central NY James & Kristin Allen Fund An Anonymous Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Avangrid Foundation / NYSEG The Baird Foundation The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Better Buffalo Fund Henry W. & Martha L. Bruner Philanthropic Fund Buffalo Bills Foundation Buffalo Sabres Foundation Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Services EJ and Karen Butler Tom and Pat Calpin Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19 William & Ida Christie Fund for Music Citizens Bank Columbia Sportswear Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation Conable Family Foundation The Peter C. Cornell Trust C. Elizabeth Crump Cullen Foundation James H. Cummings Foundation D-B Trust Laurie Dann & Tom Hunt Heather J. DePaolo-Johnny Memorial Fund Paul P. Dosberg Charitable Fund East Hill Foundation The Paul and Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
Experian Information Solutions in honor of M&T Bank The Fisher Family Fund Gallogly Family Foundation Garman Family Foundation General Motors O. Richard Goldman Philanthropic Fund Joanne Champion Granger Fund Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY Blue Fund John and Elizabeth Hulley JP Morgan Chase Marie S. & Frederic K. Houston Fund Hunt Charitable Foundation Ruth E. Huppuch Living Trust Nick Iannarelli Memorial Fund Independent Health D. Bruce and Gail Johnstone Fund D. Bruce and Gail Johnstone Philanthropic Fund Key Bank and First Niagara Foundation Kreher Family Fund Jeffrey C. and Cynthia M. Littmann Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, in Memory of Joseph L. Hudson Patrick P. Lee Foundation Grigg Lewis Foundation George and Teresa Lukis Family Fund M&T Bank Arlene and Ruth Mathews Fund Morton Salt National Fire Adjustment Company National Fuel Gas Foundation National Grid New York State Health Foundation Niagara Area Foundation Sandy and Margery Nobel
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The Papa Family Pinto Foundation Fund PwC Andrew Rampado Rodems Construction Co., Inc. Rotary Foundation of Amherst East Rowboat Family Foundation Rupp Family Foundation Sandhill Investments Mr. Robert A. Scharf and Dr. Lawrence Van Heusen Sherwood Family Fund S & J Schwartz Fund SJM3 Fund Simple Gifts Fund Southwest Airlines Gerould R. Stange Fund Stockton Family Fund Sullivan Family Foundation The Gary & Katharina Szakmary Fund Tobin/Filvaroff Family Endowment Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation UPS Utica National Insurance Vogt Family Foundation Warzala Family Charitable Fund Watson Billings Family Foundation Wegmans George Weiss Revocable Trust The Weissman Family Foundation The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation Western New York Foundation Williamsville East High School Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Trustee Designated and Matching Grants Program Zemsky Family Foundation
COMMUNITY LEADERS In late April 2020, Michael W. Cropp, M.D., President & CEO of Independent Health led an effort to encourage community leaders to support the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund. The following donors collectively contributed more than $400,000 to the Fund.
Stuart and Joyce Angert David Bauer John Berger Don Boswell Bob and Mary Ann Budin Patricia and David Clabeaux Warren Colville John and Nicole Connelly Michael W. Cropp, M.D. Adrian F. & Clotilde PerezBode Dedecker In honor of Charles G. Duffy Jr. and Virginia Leahy Duffy John Mineo and Vicki Feine Jay Gershberg Bill and Mary Gisel Cheryl Jankowski, CPA Bruce and Gail Johnstone Bill Lawley Mike Lawley Judy Jack Lewis and Larry Lewis Jeffrey C. and Cynthia M. Littmann Lisa M. Mendonza, M.D. Carl Montante, Sr.
Carl Montante, Jr. Michael Montante Laura Montante-Zaepfel Kathleen M. Mylotte, M.D. William Paladino Ann Pentkowski John and Maria Pieroni TJ Revelas Roberta and Noah Rifkin Chris Ross MacKenzie Scott Seneca Diabetes Foundation Dr. Zvi Sharf Patricia Smith Anthony Spada, Jr. Paul Tesluk Michael Vitch Ted and Ginna Walsh Daniel Weintraub Mary Wilson Bruce Wisbaum Margaret and Bob Zak Larry and Leslie Zielinski
WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y | 11
INDIVIDUAL DONORS Joshua Acker
Austin Benshadle
Logan Aikins
Naomi Berger
Ergin Akbas
Louis Berti
Jessica Albano
Emily Bettendorf
T Aldrich
James Biddle Jr.
Lee Allard
Stephen Bielecki
Jared Allison
Anthony Billittier
Kyle Almorabi
Christian Billman
Anthony Altieri
Kathleen Bilz
Daniel Amigone
Judith Birke
Carole Andrus
Sarah Bishop
Nicole Ansaldi
Eckhart Blackert
Jeremy Applegate
Jonathan Boland
Charles Aquiline
Ryan Bold
Stephanie Argentine
Ryan Boneberg
Susan Arthur
Steven Boni
Nathan Auble
Bryan Bonisteel
Dan Audy
Michael Borga
Matthew Auteritano
Katherine Bosco
Adam Axelrad
Paul Bosinski
William Bach
Matthew Bourke
Thomas Brydges
Lisa Campagna-Grout
Sandeep Bahadur
Corey Bower
Adam Buehler
Duffy Campfield
Thomas Baker
Derek Boyko
Paul Bunting
Linda Cappellazzo
Jonathan Balangon
Michael Brace
Alexis Burden
Gene Cappellini
Paul Baldo
Edward Brandt
Katherine Burdette
Elton Capstick
Andrew Baranyi
Rosemary Bravetti
Kevin Burg
Chris Carboni
Larry Barnes
Brian Bray
Horace Burger
Robert Cardarelli
Paula Barren
Robert Bredenberg
Keith Burger
Paul Carlisle
Tricia Barrett
Eric Brennan
Mary Burger
David Carmody
Cole Barrish
Rebecca Brierley
Mary Lou Burger
Isaac Bath
Karen Brim
Marcia Burkard
Frances M. & Richard R. Carpenter
William Beam
Will Brinkerhoff
Anthony Bush
James Becker
Brandyn Brockway
Earl Butts
Rachel Beerman
William Brooks
Joshua Caccamise
Maria Behm
Christopher Broxup
Ollie Calabrese
Janette Beikirch
Raymond Bryan
Tricia Caliguire
Grantee Thank You Note: “During COVID, donations of personal hygiene and cleaning supplies decreased, as the supply of these products were depleted in the community. This created an increased need for UCAN to find these items for our residents. Helping to meet all of these needs was made possible through a generous grant from WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund.” – Nicole Drozdiel, UCAN City Mission, Jamestown
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Rachael Carson Michael Cartwright Patrick Cary Lynn Casarsa Chad Casey
Brian Cavanagh
Derek & Jennifer Daniels
Robert Endres
Mark Gillen
Dave Cavanaugh
Heather Davin
John Ennis
Thurston & Joanne Gilman
Philip Chayka
Craig Davis
Fabiane Erb
Chad Gingerich
Gregory Chimento
Tyler Davis
Saum Eskandani
Marjorie Girth
Isaac Christian
Teresa Day
Jennifer Estep
Cady Glaubinger
David Chudy
Thomas Dayton
Jude Fabiano
Christine Glavey
Joe Chudy
Ravi Deb
Charley Falletta
Krista Glenn
Michael Ciraolo
Brandon Dejesus
Andrew Fanton
Philip Glinskl
Annlouise Cirelli
Phil Delmont
Sandy Fastert
Mike Gluck
Kim Clarke
Stacey Delmont
Todd Faut
Paul Golembiewski
Paul Clewell
Shane Delury
Raquel Feliz
Alan Goodman
David Coe
Jacob Dennis
Thomas Ferland
David Goodness
Stephanie Cohen
Brendon Dick
Jerry Feuerstein
Justin Gorby
Ryan Colby
Joseph Digennaro
Gerald Feuerstein Jr.
Brian Gordner
Gary Cole
Angela Disarno
James Fierro
Gerald Gorman
Parker Comentino
Ken Dobinski
Brian Finn
Nick Graffeo
Mary Coniglio
John Doherty
Craig Fischer
Jennifer Graham
Darcy Connors
Dale Dohm
Shawn Flattery
Peter Grandits
Lennon Conti
Gail Donaghue
Leslie Fox
Ellen Grant
Frank Contrino
Stephanie Donovan
Teresa Fraas
Daniel Greco
Jeff Cooperman
Maggie Dorn
Carrie and David Frank
Michael Greco
Eileen Cordani
Paul Dougherty
Eric Frank
Timothy Gregg
Holly Cordaro
Scott Douglas
Stuart Franklin
Micah Greidanus
Joe Cosentino
Justin Drew
Michael Frasca
Kerry Grimes
Sam Costanzo
Renee Driskel
Sean Frawley
John Grimmer
Bradley Coyle
Haoling Du
Bryan Frederick
Shane Gross
Emily Craig
Nathan Duckles
Brendan Frenz
Brian Groth
James Craig
Brittany Dudek
Tom Fuhrman
Paul Gutacker
Caitlin Crawford
Kevin Dunford
Harrison Gaa
Eric H
Teresa Crawford
Joelle Dupont
Jeffrey Gabamonte
Sharon Haas
Patrick Cronin
Jason Dussing
James Galante
Cheryl Hagen
Luke Cusack
John Dybas
Steve Garber
Peter Hall
Jennifer Czapla
Alicia Dziak
David Gauhs
Shelby Hall
April Dalessandro
James Eaton
Craig Gawlak
Deborah Halliday
Marcus D’Alfonso
Anthony Ebert
Joseph Gawron
Marianne Hanley
Chris Daly
Patricia Edwards
Jordana Gelber
Christopher Hannon
Patrick Daly
Scott Eggiman
Jolie Gendel
Sally Hardenburg
Kimberly Damian
J Michael Elkan
Ashley Gerhard
Jonathan Harkey
Julia Damico
Pamela Elliot
Dominic Germano
Beverly Harlos
Anthony Danial
Charles Emerson
Wendy Gervasi
Bonnie Hartman
WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y | 13
Marc Hartwig
Sarah Hoch
Josef Iqbal
Robert Krum
John Harwood
Anne Hoehn
Brian Ives
Samantha Kuberka
Ryan Hasenauer
David Hoffman
Doug Jadis
Anthony Kubis
Brenda Havernick
Jonathan Holden
Paula Jeanniton
Carlos Kurek
Beth Hayes
Linda Holt
Garrett Jensen
Jivan Kurinec
Catherine Hayes
Robert Hoople
Brian Johnson
Ron Kutas
Ed & Karen Healy
David Hopper
Bruce and Gail Johnstone
Christian Kuzan
Derise Hedges
Robin Hornstrom
Brian Jordan
Karen Kuzina
Steve Hegarty
Drew House
Kenneth Joseph
Salvatore Laduca
Barbara W. Henderson
Aaron Hrycko
Shawn Laidlaw
Jason Hejna
Tim Huber
Todd M. Joseph and Barbara J. Ostfeld
Ryan Helfrey
Justin Hufmeyer
Mary Jozwiak
Michael Lapierre
James Hess
Carolyn Human
Suzanne Hibbard
Gabriel Humbert
John Hill
Randy Hunt
Robert Hill
Thomas C. Hunt & Laurie Dann
Anita Hoare
Steven Kalicharan Dale Kamholz Chelsea Kanaley Jared Karbowski Dale Karcher Karin Kasza Michelle Kavanaugh Patrick Kearns Dinee Kellerman Kathy Kelley David Kelly Sara Kensinger Matthew Kenworthy Michael Kern Russell Kerr Amy Kimmel Brett Kinney Adam Kinsella Joseph Kleinmann Gina and Robert Klick Nicole Kmicinski Michael Kochmanski
Grantee Thank You Note: “Because of your funding to Saving Grace Outreach in Cattaraugus, we have been able to provide additional protein and canned goods to our drive-through food pantries. The grant filled the gaps where other funding and resources fell short. We would not have been able to provide these resources to our community without you!” – Elizabeth O’Neill, Saving Grace Outreach
Rosalind Kochmanski Ryan Koczaja Jay Koenig John Kompson Jon Kraden Michael Kraitsik
William Lane Donna Laplant Molly Laragy Dertinger Kyle Larkin Ronald Joseph Later Jr. Zachary Laumer Jacqueline Lavarnway Mark Lawler Justin Leathers Claudia Lee Michael Lee Barbara Leggett Dennis Lesniak Christopher Leuer Jill Levin Peter Levin Evan Lewis Todd Lewis Dan Leyh Kenneth Li Frank Limeri Steven Litteer Martin Littlefield Jim Locke Brian Loliger Joan Loring A.J. Losey Lynette Lott James Louisos Benjamin Lucas
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Saul Luxemburg
George McKenna
Paul Lytle
William McKenna
Anne Macoretta
Andrew McKeown
Hector Magana
Timothy McKillen Jr
Jace Magavern
Evan McMahon
Michelle Maggard
Margaret Md
Curtis Magnuszewski
Rajender Mehta
Gregory Maher
Whitney Mendel
Sean Maher
Thomas Metzloff
Wesley Majka
Andrew Meyer
Jonathan Malmgren
Joshua Meyer
James Maloney
Michael Mezger
William Maloney
Mary Ann Miano
Gregory Mancuso
Brian Michel
Kenneth Mancuso
Anthony Micheletti
Thomas Maniscalco
Brett Mickey
Dave Marshall
Barbara Mierzwa
Emily Martin
Bonnie Mikula
Herbert Martin
Rj Miles
Michael Martin
Jamahl Miller
Ryan Martineau
Anna Misener
Victor Martucci
Sean Mohan
Kate and Tony Masiello
Jessica Mohr
Michael Mason
Tony Molino
Zak Mason
Kathleen Molloy
Maurice Materise
Paul Moloney
Ann Matheis
Annie Monaco
Andrew Mayo
Jennifer Moore
Patricia Mazzone
Robert Moore
Sonja McAllister
Ryan Moore
Cade McCall
Cynthia and Theodore Moran
Brian McCandless Megan McCormack Sean McDonough Addison McGinnis John McGowan Patrick McGrath Mark Mcguire Scott McKay Mandy McKeehan
Michael Moran Barbara Mordino Kathleen Moriarity Jeff Moro Kevin Muffler Michael Mullaney Jacob Mullen Ryan Munson
Grantee Thank You Note: “Thank you so much. Love INC of the Greater Gowanda Area has been able to transport so many clients in need in our community, visits to doctors and grocery stores especially. We have also delivered food and supplies to many affected by this pandemic. We have used this funding for fuel needs for our vehicles. Thank you from the bottom of our community’s heart. ” – Love INC Gowanda Joe Murphy
Jennifer Owen
Robert Murphy
Kevin Pacanowski
Sean Murphy
David Palisano
Eric Musso
Timothy Paluch
Nick Nabozny
Manoj Pandey
Rahman Nabulsi
Roger Papaj
James Nesper
Jeffrey Pappalardo
Matthew Nesper
Susan Parker
Magdalena Nichols
Michael and Susan ParkerBobseine
Blair Novotny Michael Nunn Will Oakley Courtney O’Brien Sarah O’Brien Joshua O’Brochta Patrick Occhiuto Lynn O’Connor Patricia Olender Sherri Oliver Lisa Olszak Zumstein William O’Neil Susan Ormsby James Overdorf
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Joseph Parry David Pascual Philip Passafiume Evan Pease Joseph Pelonero Linda Pelz Philip Penepent Robert Perno Brian Perry Leanne Peruzzini John Petrocelli Lisa Petronio Pennie Phillipp
David Piazza
Sarah Riley
Jeff Schilling
Judi Shelton
Scott Pickard
Tim Riley
Deveda A Schleyer
Roh-Yu Shen
Jason Pierce
Dakota Ripley
Jedidiah Schlung
Mark Shoemaker
Michelle Pigula
Nicholas Roba
John Schneeberger
Charles and Margaret Skelton
Timothy Pilarski
Thomas Robertson
Lynda Schneekloth
George Smilanich
James Pilarz
Brad Robinson
Robert Schneider
Denver Smith
Joann Pinelli
Chester Robinson
Tom Schneider
Douglas Smith
Barbara Piotrowski
Rick Rodgers
David Schopp
Nick Smith-Stanley
Alex Placito
Kenneth Rogers
Betty Schuck
Lawrence Sniezak
Amedeo Plantone
Shannon Romano
Michael Schuman
Janet Snyder
Christopher Plantone
Deanna Romito
Jim & Kathy Schwinger
Martin Snyder
Bryce Plecker
Robert Rosch
Amanda Schwob
Katherine Solecki
Cory Plummer
Jeffrey Rosellen
Donald J Scoma
Paul Sortisio
Rob and Aggie Plunkett
Jacob Rosen
David Scoones
Robert Spampata
Beth Podgorny
Donna and John Rosinski
Jeffrey Seamon
Leevaughn Spates
Stacey Podlewski
Anne Rossi
Thomas Sear
Patty Spear
Drew Pomerantz
Carrie Royse
Lauren Secrist
John Speno
Eugene Poon
Patricia Ruhland
Mark Setlock
Joseph Spinelli
Kevin Poplawski
Lori Ruslander
Mehal Shah
Jon Spitz
David Popovich
Douglas Russell
Zachary Shanor
Aaron Stang
Jill Powell
Doreen Russo
Ankur Sharma
Adam Star
Justin Pretko
Martin Rutecki
Elisa Sheen
Susan Stasinski
Jason Procknal
Justin Rybacki
Angelo Puccio
Sarah Sabuda
Patrick Puckhaber
Brian Sacca
Richy Qiao
Kc Sacca
James Quinn
Alyssa Sachar
Thomas Radder
Vince Saladino
Kathy Rambuss
Kasim Sallaj
Chris Rantanen
David Sam
John Rapp
Patrick Sam
Liane Reardon
Linda San George
Charles Reed
Ms. Sanders and Mr. Lewis
Grantee Thank You Note:
Megan Reid
John Sanderson
Kerry Renzoni
Pat Sanderson
Christopher Rettler
Maria Santiano
Harmony Retzlaff
Mark Sarnowski
Marcy Rich
Roger Scarselletta
Lexa Rico
Joanne Scavone
“St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo saw a staggering increase in demand for food for the low-income, homeless, elderly, disabled and families during the pandemic, with a 300 percent increase in those needing food. With the generous help of the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund, St. Luke’s Mission is able to continue serving two meals per day on a grab-and-go basis.”
Mike Riley
Brad Schepise
– St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy |
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Wendy Steele
John Thielmann
Jodi Victor
Jeff Wilfeard
Kesha Steighner
Jeremy Thomas
Cindy Villar
Christy Williams
Rob Steinmetz
Richard Thompson
Michael Virchau
Tonia Williams
Michael Stenclik
Arwen Tisdale
Mark Visbisky
Meredith Wilson
Steven Stich
L A Titran
Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich
Lisa Wisman
Stephen Still
Nancy Tomkins
Alexander Walczak
Gregory Wisniewski
John Stoddard
Regina Toomey
Wallace Waliczek
Jennifer Witnauer
Wilson Stoker
Kristina Topp
James Walker
David Wojnowicz
Ellen Stoll
Jonathan Totten
Demaree Walsh
Michelle Wood
Adam Storm
Brian Triantafillou
Elsa Walter
Matt Woods
Mark Storm
Cherie Tripoli
Sandra Walters-Toth
Matt Wopperer
Diane Straka
Alexander Tsakiris
Linda Weatherall
Timothy Yaeger
Matthew Stromecki
George Turner
Brad Weber
Aaron Yantz
Ashok Subramanian and Larissa Shahmatova
Lisa Turner
Michael Weiner
John Young
Cheryl Sullivan
Brian Uhrmacher
Matt Welter
Kathleen Young
David Ungvary
David Wesolowski
James Zak
Michelle Urbanczyk
Ronald Westlake
Robert Zak
Danielle Vallone
Lon Westphal
William Zak
Scott Van Alstyne
Justin Wetter
Andrew Zbrzezny
Kathleen Vanderau
Matthew Wiertel
Drew Zdrojewski
Janine Vascukynas
Marisa Wigglesworth and Edmund B. Bayruns
Johnny Zecopoulos
Rebecca Wightman
Mark Zellmer
Michelle Sydlo Robert Szymanski Sean Tandy Joe Tartaro Thomas Tempeny Jessica Templeton Jim Templeton Victoria Tenge Maria Testa
Sam Veglia Evanette Veira Eric Vetter
Brandon Wiley
John Zelasko Joseph Zolnowski
As part of the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund partnership, the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County received contributions from over 1,900 individuals from March to June 2020, listed on these pages. Grantee Thank You Note: “Thanks to the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund, Harvest House has been able to continue to provide integrated and inclusive medical and dental care and support services to underserved and marginalized communities in Buffalo.” – Carol Murphy, President, Harvest House
WN Y COVID -19 COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE FUND 2021 REPORT TO COMMUNIT Y | 17
WN Y RESPONDS.ORG