BUILD A BIGGER TABLE FOR ROTTERDAM, NEW YORK!
What an amazing first six months we’ve had of nourishing our neighborhood in body, mind and soul at the Rotterdam Community Center here in Rotterdam, New York!
It was only a little over a year ago in September 2021 when we first took ownership of the former church property after a historic merger between Trinity Reformed Church and Messiah Lutheran Church. Shortly thereafter, with the generous support of the Schenectady Foundation's Equitable Access to Healthy Food program, we were able to convert an old library and choir practice room into an over 1000 square foot food pantry.
We then fully opened our doors in an experimental six month phase of operations this past June and have indeed already made a significant impact:
And here's the thing... we're just getting started as we work to provide an open table for the people of Rotterdam and the Greater Schenectady area of New York, where neighbors of all backgrounds can gather safely and without judgement to support, learn and grow together!
It is projected to cost almost $58,000 in 2023 to operate the Rotterdam Community Center, and that's why we're working overtime to build a broad base of support from all our local neighbors and friends from across the country and around the world!
Using our secure Stripe online payment system below, please contribute to this effort today!
It was only a little over a year ago in September 2021 when we first took ownership of the former church property after a historic merger between Trinity Reformed Church and Messiah Lutheran Church. Shortly thereafter, with the generous support of the Schenectady Foundation's Equitable Access to Healthy Food program, we were able to convert an old library and choir practice room into an over 1000 square foot food pantry.
We then fully opened our doors in an experimental six month phase of operations this past June and have indeed already made a significant impact:
- Our newly renovated pantry space allowed us to increase the amount of meals we supply each month to our neighbors in need by 21% from June through October, with us serving 2889 meals in October 2022 alone!
- From our First Annual Rotterdam Craft Fair to Zumba, Yoga to our Food Pantry programs, Game Night to Movie Night and more, over 1500 guests came through our doors in October 2022!
- Our Community Center has served as a catalyst for volunteerism in Rotterdam, with over 500 volunteer hours work in October 2022!
And here's the thing... we're just getting started as we work to provide an open table for the people of Rotterdam and the Greater Schenectady area of New York, where neighbors of all backgrounds can gather safely and without judgement to support, learn and grow together!
It is projected to cost almost $58,000 in 2023 to operate the Rotterdam Community Center, and that's why we're working overtime to build a broad base of support from all our local neighbors and friends from across the country and around the world!
Using our secure Stripe online payment system below, please contribute to this effort today!