(WNY News Now) – The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) launched its 26th annual “Cents for St. Susan’s” campaign with a breakfast for sponsors at the future site of the St. Susan Center, located in the former Jamestown Business College building.
The fund drive’s sponsors and volunteers heard about the campaign plans and viewed St. Susan Center’s new location, which is expected to open at the end of 2025.
St. Susan Center Executive Director Cherie Rowland explained to the group that, in 2024 alone, the soup kitchen served nearly 53,000 meals, averaging 175 meals per day.
As part of the campaign, bright yellow “Cents for St. Susan’s” coin canisters are appearing around area store and restaurant counters through July 4 to collect spare change, dollars and checks written to St. Susan Center, to help the local soup kitchen prepare and serve daily meals to hungry people in the community. Last year’s drive raised $35,401 for the purpose.
This year, the canisters also contain a QR code that the public can use to donate online.
In addition to donating through coin canisters, the public may donate by mailing checks made payable to St. Susan Center and addressed to “Cents for St. Susan’s,” Jamestown BPU, P.O. Box 700, Jamestown, NY 14702-0700. Redeemable bottles and cans may be donated at the BPU Customer Service Office, Don’s Car Wash and the Southside Redemption Center.
A hot dog sale to benefit the campaign will occur outside the BPU Customer Service Office, 92 Steele Street, on Friday, June 20. Redeemable containers can also be donated at the hot dog sale.
“Major sponsors have already come forward to help us raise funds for the soup kitchen this year,” stated BPU Communications Coordinator Becky Robbins, who organizes the annual drive. “They include Judy and Steve McAllaster, Northwest Bank, The Robinson Law Office, Asplundh, Boyle’s Motor Sales, Century 21/Turner Brokers, Dan and Connie Evans, Falconer Printing & Design, Inc., Kwik-Fill, The Legend Group with Lou Deppas, National Fuel, R. Patti Excavating & Concrete, Robbins and Johnson Attorneys, Shults Auto Group, Slone-Melhuish Insurance, Store-N-Lock, Wendel, Weinberg Financial Group, Wright Calimeri, PLLC, Attorneys and one anonymous person.”
The Media One Radio Stations and the Jamestown Post-Journal have volunteered as media sponsors for the annual fund drive, providing valuable communication space and airtime to the endeavor.
“The utility is proud to be affiliated with St. Susan Center,” noted BPU General Manager David L. Leathers. “We appreciate that the soup kitchen operates with a small staff and numerous volunteers who work diligently to address the hunger problem in our community. In 2024, nearly 53,000 meals were served at the Center, and we are pleased to know that we assisted positively in this vital effort.”
St. Susan Center staff and volunteers can purchase $6 of food with each dollar spent at FeedMore NY, formerly the Western New York Food Bank. Any amount contributed to “Cents for St. Susan’s will be stretched six times to meet the daily needs of the soup kitchen.
“With heartfelt gratitude, we at St. Susan’s reflect on the unwavering support we receive from the BPU and all those who contributed to the “Cents for St. Susan’s” campaign over the last 26 years!” added St. Susan Executive Director Cherie Rowland.
“Since 1984, St. Susan Center soup kitchen has served as a welcoming refuge for thousands in the Jamestown area, continually expanding to meet the growing needs of our community,” continued Rowland. “Our dedicated team consists of six staff members and more than 75 volunteers who assist with our food and support programs.”
“We thank everyone in the community who donates to help St. Susan Center in this spring and summer drive each year,” said Robbins. “No snow and improved weather means that people can walk to the soup kitchen more easily, including children out of school. Every cent donated to “Cents for St. Susan’s” goes directly to that work, with no administrative costs deducted. Every gift, regardless of size, is important and deeply appreciated.”
The soup kitchen is currently housed at 31 Water Street in Jamestown and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The Center is closed Sundays and only closes on four additional days each year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.
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