Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland Launches Fall Harvest Fundraiser to “Cultivate Hope” for Local Families

For the second year in a row, Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland (CCCSR) is inviting the community to come together and “Help Cultivate Hope” for neighbors in need through its Fall Harvest Fundraiser. Established in 2010 with the support of Rockland County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program, the on-site garden flourishes through the collaborative efforts of St. Ann’s Parish and Good Samaritan Hospital. It is the only vegetable garden located on the grounds of a food pantry in a 60-mile radius, and over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce are grown and distributed each year to area residents from the Garden of Love.

Launching during Hunger Action Month, a national September campaign that raises awareness of hunger in America, the fundraiser will take place from September 15 through October 30. Every dollar raised will directly support CCCSR’s mission of nourishing local families who depend on its food pantry. Thanks to collective buying power in the Hudson Valley, CCCSR turns every dollar donated into four meals ensuring that Rockland families have access to fresh, healthy food all year long.

Through the Fall Harvest Fundraiser, supporters can symbolically purchase vegetables grown in the garden. Their symbolic harvest helps stock the pantry shelves for Rockland families in need. The levels include:

• Bell Pepper – $20
• Sweet Potato – $35
• Broccoli – $50
• Squash – $65
• Eggplant – $80
• Pumpkin Patch – $100

As an added feature this year, participants can set up their own fundraising page to help support the cause, or create a team and ask family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to participate and help reach the campaign’s goal of raising $5,000. One hundred percent of all funds raised will go directly to support the families and individuals who depend on CCCSR’s services.

“The Garden of Love is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together to care for its neighbors,” said Stephen Papas, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland. “Through our Fall Harvest Fundraiser, every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide nutritious food to local families who may be struggling to make ends meet.”

Donations can be made quickly and securely online at https://tinyurl.com/ccfallfund26 Supporters are also encouraged to follow CCCSR on social media and share the campaign to help increase visibility and donations. With help from the community, Catholic Charities in Rockland can continue to fulfill the mission it started 30 years ago of providing fresh vegetables, pantry staples, and other essential resources to Rockland families who need them most.

Catholic Charities Community Services, The Warm Heart of Rockland, provides services to people of all ages, from every race and ethnic group from all over the County. The organization’s focus is to provide life necessities, including food, shelter, and other emergency assistance to those in need. The compassionate and professional staff speak English, Spanish, French and Creole. More information can be found at www.ccrockland.org or by calling (845) 942-5791.

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