As March Madness begins in the world of collegiate sports, Franklin Community Center is putting a new spin on the ball game. Beginning March 15th, Franklin Community Center has started collecting donations of coins as part of their March Madness initiative.
With the current state of the economy, Franklin Community Center, like many other not for profit agencies, is facing funding cuts and working within a budget that is being stretched thin. All the while there is an increase in the utilization of all the services available at Center.
“We have seen a steady increase, approximately 25 new families per month, using the food pantry service alone,” says Courtney Bissell, Coordinator of Development at the Center. “We are constantly searching for creative ways to supplement our annual budget and hope this is a project the community can be involved with.”
Franklin Community Center is not unfamiliar to the power of nickels and dimes. You can find coin boxes at many establishments throughout Saratoga Springs where patrons can drop their spare change and donate it to the Center. In 2009, more than $1,200.00 was raised to support programs that served over 2,500 local adults and children through these boxes.
With March Madness in place, the Center hopes to expand upon this fundraising initiative and collect as many coins as possible.
“It can be difficult for donors to make large contributions at one time, but saving coins is something that is usually manageable,” says Bissell. “Every penny helps us continue serving the community.”
Please donate your spare change to the Center throughout the month of March. The Center encourages workplaces, schools and community groups to get involved.
The Center is looking for March Madness Team Captains to assist in their efforts. Team Captains will be ambassadors for the Center, assisting in spreading the word about March Madness at their workplaces, places of worship, schools or communities. The group raising the most money will be the 2010 March Madness Champion!
If you’re not interested in donating cash, the food pantry at Franklin Community Center is also seeking donations of non-perishable food items. The food pantry exists solely by community donations. Center staff saw an influx of donations around the holiday season, but they have since tapered off. With spring right around the corner and summer rapidly approaching, the Center is trying to build reserves for the summer months. Children who may have received free or reduced cost breakfast or lunch at school are not necessarily eligible for those services in the summer months, creating hardship for many local families.
Those wishing to compete for the title of March Madness Champion should have their donations to the Center no later than April 1st. Businesses interested in housing a coin box at your establishment should contact Courtney at 518-587-9826.
“We are hoping for the support of our friends and neighbors to make a success, and it’s a fun project to get behind” adds Bissell.
Donations to the March Madness program and the food pantry can be made at the administrative offices at 10 Franklin Street, Monday- Friday, 8am-4pm. All coins will be sorted and tallied in April.
If you’d like to be a March Madness Team Captain to help your workplace or school become involved, please email Courtney@franklincommunitycenter.org.
For more information about the programs and services available at Franklin Community Center, please visit www.franklincommunitycenter.org.
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