News
February 18, 2021Mazzone Hospitality Partners with City Mission of Schenectady, Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, and The Schenectady Foundation to Feed the Hungry
Mazzone Hospitality, City Mission of Schenectady, Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, and The Schenectady Foundation have teamed up to feed the hungry in Schenectady.
Mazzone Hospitality is providing staffing support and leadership for City Mission’s culinary program. They are also staffing a new program to feed the hungry with meals available for pick-up at Boys & Girls Clubs locations. The Schenectady Foundation is providing the necessary funding.
The combined effort began with a phone call from City Mission. They were facing a crisis and needed help in their culinary program. Mazzone Hospitality responded with experienced team members to fill the immediate need and upgrade systems.
“We were consistently feeding more than 500 people per day,” said Michael Saccocio, Executive Director, City Mission of Schenectady. “Then it got cold, demand grew, and we had people who had to stay home because of potential exposure. We were in crisis at a critical time of year.”
The partnership has proven so successful that the two organizations have extended the relationship. Mazzone Hospitality will continue to help City Mission’s culinary team into the future.
Saccocio knew that the need in the community was greater than ever before and saw the potential for similar partnerships to have a tremendous impact, and connected Mazzone Hospitality with Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady and The Schenectady Foundation.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have united with key partner organizations to provide food, shelter, and support to under-resourced families, and those who are quarantined, isolated, and at-risk of Covid,” said Robert Carreau, Executive Director of The Schenectady Foundation. “This program brings together the unique talents of all our partners to deliver on the needs of the community.”
Now, Mazzone Hospitality is offering a prepared meals program through the Boys & Girls Club locations in Rotterdam and Mount Pleasant. Residents of Schenectady County who are in need can pick up the meals between 4 – 5 pm, Monday through Friday at either location.
“The Boys & Girls Club is so thankful and proud to be part of this amazing partnership providing free meals for the community during these difficult times,” said Shane Bargy, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady. “It has been truly heartwarming to see how much has been accomplished in Schenectady with and for so many families throughout this pandemic”.
Other organizations in the County have also pitched in, C.O.C.O.A House, Save Our Streets, Elevate & Conqr Fitness, Lucid Writer’s LLC, and Practice What You Poetry are all providing delivery services to those who aren’t able to pick up the meals themselves.
“This combined effort between the public and private sectors is something we’re very proud to participate in,” said Sean Willcoxon, VP of Catering for Mazzone Hospitality. “The need in our community has never been higher and we welcomed the opportunity to put our experience and infrastructure to use for such an important mission.”
