Tracey Rund and Amanda Petrella after packing the Thanksgiving Donation Gift Baskets.
Thanksgiving is a heartwarming and inspiring time of year where we can take time out of our busy schedules to reflect and give thanks for all the blessings we have. During this time of year at CaterTrax, we love to take some time out from helping our many customers to get involved in our community and give back to the less fortunate. For the past few years we have participated in a feel good project to collect and distribute Thanksgiving meals for the families in Rochester who fall below the poverty level and have a child or family member with a disability. Thanksgiving 2011 will mark the third annual CaterTrax tradition, and our employees gladly stepped up to the plate to provide 8 families with baskets filled with: Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, mashed potatoes, Rolls, and butter.
We couldn’t do this rewarding work on our own, CP Rochester, the Catholic Family Center, and the House of Mercy have been the intermediary agencies that have helped us connect with these families and distribute the Thanksgiving goodie baskets. These three agencies are home to some of the hardest working individuals we know. They are committed to providing a better quality of life for the underserved in our community and inspire us on a daily basis.
Last year, our Vice President of Operations, Nell Herman was able to see firsthand the impact that the caring individuals of the House of Mercy had on the community during her visit to deliver our Thanksgiving gift baskets. Here is an account of the eye opening experience she had during her visit:
I was able to meet Sister Grace Miller that runs the facility and learn more about the facility. The operators of the facility provide services to more than 4,000 people a month on a shoestring budget. They have a kitchen that is no larger than our conference room in which they send out 125 Meals on Wheels daily and then also serve 250-300 meals in house. CJ, the gentleman that runs the kitchen, explained to me that he used to serve 1,000 meals when he was in the army. CJ went on to explain that the people in the neighborhood live in the kind of desperate poverty many of us associate with Third World countries. But it’s right here in the heart of Rochester, N.Y… right in our own backyard.
I was then given a tour of the rest of the house. I also met Leroy in the lounge. He is a spunky 5 year old that was all too excited to show me “his house”. He explained that he goes to school #50 and showed me his school supplies that he keeps in his coat pocket. He goes to school during the day and then is at the House of Mercy in the evenings.
Leroy also showed me their dedication wall that is covered with funeral programs of people who have been a part of their community. What an eye opening experience to have a five year old tell you what the wall represented. Annette, the volunteer coordinator went on to explain that they could have as many of three funerals in a week, but that they never give up on the people that they serve.
Everyone that I met on Friday made a point to shake my hand and thank me for our donation.
To learn more about the benefits each of these incredible agencies provide to the Rochester community year round and how you can get involved please visit their websites or contact them at:
CP Rochester
3399 Winton Rd. S
Rochester, NY 14623
585-334-6000
http://www.cprochester.org/contact.asp
The Catholic Family Center
87 N. Clinton Ave
Rochester, NY 14604
585-232-1840
http://www.cfcrochester.org/pg/ways-to-give
House of Mercy
725 Hudson Ave
Rochester, NY 14621
585-546-2580
http://houseofmercyrochester.org/
