Marywood University Students Organize Food Donation Drive Marywood University students, Katelyn Gjini, Ramsey, N.J., president of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter, and Nicole Koestler, vice president of the NSSLHA chapter at the University, recently organized a food donation drive for Marywood University’s Pacer Panty. Miscellaneous food, snacks, and personal hygiene/toiletry items were donated to the Pacer Pantry with the support of students and faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. The Pacer Pantry opened on the University’s campus in February 2020 on the ground floor of Emmanuel Hall. Various Marywood University departments, deans, faulty/staff members, student groups, and Friends of the Poor (a sponsored ministry of the IHM Congregation) collaborated to make the Pacer Pantry a reality. Sister Elizabeth McGill, IHM, an IHM novice and a Marywood graduate, headed the project. Food insecurity is a growing concern on college campuses throughout the country. Marywood’s local response to this nationwide issue is the Pacer Pantry, a name chosen by Marywood students, to benefit students and staff who may struggle with food insecurity. Fighting hunger—whether on a global scale or right in one’s own community—requires awareness. Advocacy and action are a part of the solution, but the fact that food insecurity is a real problem that exists on college campuses across the nation is eye opening for many. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood University is a student-run organization that is an active part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and is in affiliation with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood collaborates with the University’s Student Government Association, and has participated in many departmental as well as campus-wide activities and events. For additional information about Marywood University’s Pacer Pantry, please email PacerPantry@marywood.edu, or visit marywood.edu/article/2020-Pacer-Pantry-Open-House. For additional information about Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, please visit marywood.edu/csd/, or call the office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
HNB Supports Leadership Lackawanna with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,000 of their approved allotment to Leadership Lackawanna. The funds, donated by HNB, will support curriculum enhancement for the betterment of local young professionals. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “Leadership Lackawanna provides development for the skillsets of our area’s business owners and professionals, underwriting the growth and expansion of our local commerce and region’s economy.” He continued, “We are glad that we can provide funding for this program to continue the benefit to our community.” Nikki Morristell, Executive Director, Leadership Lackawanna, said “We are most appreciative to HNB for their continued support. These funds directly impact the 41 aspiring high school juniors in our Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program, hence allowing their leadership skills and abilities to grow and shine. Indirectly this generous gift provides an unparalleled combination of people, resources and opportunities to the community, impacting NEPA for years to come!” Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Its five programs – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership U, Core, Executive, and Welcome Scranton! – enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Since inception, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 2,300 community leaders.
HNB Supports the Devereux Foundation with EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,500 of their approved allotment to the Devereux Foundation. The funds, donated by HNB, will support individuals in all areas of life – from activities like Special Olympics to sensory-friendly spaces and advanced therapy. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “The Devereux Foundation is an important organization in our community that continues to provide support to those in need.” He said, “We are glad that we can fund this program to continue to serve our area.” Tina Skod, Executive Director, Devereux Foundation, said, “Despite a number of diagnoses and challenges among those we serve. Devereux remains committed to whole-person health.” She continued “This collaborative effort to promote both behavioral and physical wellness puts us at the fore front of the industry, bringing healthcare into the 21st century.”
FNCB Bank Donates $10,000 to MyCIL’s Transitional Skills Center FNCB Bank, locally-based since 1910, has announced a $10,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to MyCIL in support of programming at their Transitional Skills Center. The Transitional Skills Center is a state-of-the-art facility where students with different disabilities develop the skills they need to reach their independent living goals. Part of MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living), the Transitional Skills Center features comprehensive and customized programming that includes community-based learning experiences, recreation and wellness, group facilitation and more. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed almost $2.5 million dollars to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. The support of MyCIL is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Outreach Seeks Your Support in Building a Stronger Community Have you dreamed of making history? Of course; we all have. On Friday, June 4, you have a chance to be a part of history during northeastern Pennsylvania’s day of giving, known as NEPA Gives! Outreach – Center for Community Resources respectfully requests your support during the 24-hour NEPA Gives event on Friday, June 4, 2021. From 12:00 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. on June 4, donations made to Outreach through the NEPA Gives platform will support Outreach programs promoting family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Every gift makes a real difference in the lives of men, women, and children in YOUR community seeking hope for a brighter tomorrow. To learn more about Outreach and the individuals and families we serve, visit the Outreach NEPAGives page at https://www.nepagives.org/organizations/outreachworks. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization! Sponsored by Scranton Area Community Foundation, The Luzerne Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC), NEPA Gives is a one-day online giving extravaganza that’s all about giving back to the community. To learn more about the #NEPAGives campaign, visit nepagives.org.
FNCB Bank Donates $5,000 to Support Vocational Training Programs at Allied Services FNCB Bank announced its support for Allied Services with a $5,000 donation to the Vocational Services Division. FNCB will serve as co-presenting sponsors of Allied Services 2021 Vocational Services Golf Classic. The charity tournament is scheduled for Monday, July 12, 2021, at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, Pa. Now in its 28th year, the tournament benefits individuals with disabilities participating in training and employment programs provided by the non-profit health system. Allied Services Vocational Services Division serves over 500 individuals with disabilities each year. Individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program receive specialized training, development of work-related skills, and supervision and guidance in the workplace as needed. The goal of the program is to support and empower individuals with disabilities as members of the workforce. The Vocational Services Golf Classic features a shotgun start, lunch, cocktail hour, and an awards program. To learn more about sponsoring or participating in the tournament visit alliedservices.org/vsdgolf or call 570.348.1407.
FNCB Bank Donates $5,000 to Wilkes-Barre’s Diamond City Partnership FNCB Bank, locally-based since 1910, has announced a $5,000 Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) donation to Wilkes-Barre’s Diamond City Partnership in support of their Give Hope initiative. In partnership with the Volunteers of America Pennsylvania (VOAPA), the Give Hope initiative helps the homeless population in Wilkes-Barre through outreach, rapid service navigation, and arrest diversion efforts. The support of Diamond City Partnership is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Penn East Federal Credit Union Makes Donation to Nursing Center Penn East Federal Credit Union’s (FCU) Community Involvement Committee recently donated dozens of crafts, activities, and brain games to residents of Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center. The facility in Scranton is one of the area’s largest skilled nursing centers providing comprehensive quality care for both short-term and long-term patients. The Penn East FCU Community Involvement Committee’s mission is to engage and contribute to organizations to improve and establish connections in the community. Penn East Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered credit union offering membership to anyone that lives or works in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming Counties.
JFS Mae S. Gelb Food Pantry Receives Donation The Temple Israel of Scranton Donates $1,450 to the Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania Mae S. Gelb Food Pantry. The Temple Israel of Scranton Mitzvah Committee, consisting of Suzy and Rick Jacobson, Karen and Robby Pollock, Marian and Gary Beckhorn, Victoria Geyfman, Annie Monsky, Rabbi Miriam Spitzer, Paulette Okun and Geordee Pollock provided 85 Mishloach bags to area Congregants. Proceeds from the purchased bags were donated to the Mae S. Gelb Food Pantry at JFS!
Space Time Mead & Cider Works Pledges 1% of Annual Sales to Environmental Causes Space Time Mead & Cider Works joined 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of annual sales to support The Lackawanna River Conservation Association. “When we started our winery, one of our core principals was to do what we could to protect our natural environment. Afterall, our wine depends on clean air, water, soil and biodiversity”, said Dan Schreffler, President of Space Time Mead & Cider Works. “We could think of no other local organization that has done so much for Lackawanna County’s quality of life by protecting and cleaning up the Lackawanna River and surrounding lands.” “Currently, only 3% of total philanthropy goes to the environment and, only 5% of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of business members is doing its valuable part to increase giving and support on-the-ground outcomes. We’re excited to welcome Space Time Mead & Cider Works to our global movement,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. By contributing 1% of their annual sales, thousands of 1% for the Planet members have raised over $265 million to support approved environmental nonprofits around the globe. Nonprofits are approved based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Thousands of nonprofits worldwide are currently approved. “The biggest challenge we face in our work of river conservation and watershed stewardship is the lack of locally available funding to match state and federal grants and to help sustain our everyday operations,” said Bernie McGurl, Executive Director of the Lackawanna River Conservation Organization, (LRCA). “Having a dedicated fund like 1% for the Planet and a local business, like Space Time Mead & Cider Works reach out to us can be a real game changer to help advance our mission in the Lackawanna Watershed. We gratefully welcome the support of Space Time and look to their example as an encouragement to other local businesses to join with them in supporting 1% for the Planet and the LRCA.”
