Backpack Program

Press Release:

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of fans from both the Batavia Bulldawgs and Le Roy Knights, United Way’s Backpack Program in Genesee County has received significant support. At last weekend’s football game, supporters from both teams donated nearly 1,300 food and hygiene items and raised over $560, helping to ensure that students in need have access to essential resources.  

All contributions will directly impact students throughout Genesee County, providing easy-to-make meals and critical hygiene supplies. The funds raised through the collection drive cover the costs of additional food items purchased from Foodlink, who provides food shipments to ensure a steady supply of meals and supports the program’s continued success.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from both teams and their fans,” said United Way Community Relationship Manager Lindsey Dailey. “Our community always steps up when there’s a need, and this outpouring of generosity will go a long way toward helping students in Genesee County.”

ARC GLOW Batavia – ARC Community Pre-Vocational Group will transport the food and hygiene items to Batavia High School and assist with bagging the backpacks for the Backpack Program. Batavia High School Vocational Coordinator Jana Kesler has been coordinating efforts with the teachers of the High School Work Study Program and their students. The High School Work Study Program students are now taking the lead on filling backpacks for their peers, highlighting the district’s commitment to empowering students.  

For more information about the Backpack Program, visit https://unitedwayrocflx.org/news-events/genesee-county-backpack-program/. 

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes will once again present Summer Serenade, featuring the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.  

The Serenade will take place on Saturday, September 7, at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. A cash bar will be available.   

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and the United Way Backpack Program in Genesee County. 

The United Way Backpack Program provides easy-to-make meals for school-aged children in need throughout Genesee County. Currently, the program is supplying over 1,300 monthly meals to children throughout four school districts.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performance, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships.   

Tickets for the Serenade are $50 and can be purchased through any Genesee Symphony Orchestra Board Member, Lawley Insurance in Batavia, or online at unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade.

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes will once again present, Summer Serenade, featuring the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

The Serenade will take place on Saturday, September 9, at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, a concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, and desserts. A cash bar will be available. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and United Way’s Backpack Program in Genesee County.

United Way’s Backpack Program provides easy-to-make meals for school-aged children in need throughout Genesee County. Currently, the program is supplying over 700 monthly meals to children throughout four school districts.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performances, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships.

Tickets for the Serenade are $50 and can be purchased through any Genesee Symphony Orchestra Board Member, Lawley Insurance in Batavia, or online at unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade.

Photos and press release from Tammy Hathaway, executive director of the United Way of Genesee County.

The United Way of Genesee County’s Women United group is presenting a virtual basket auction fundraiser. All proceeds from this event will be used to purchase food for the United Way’s Backpack Program.

This program supplies weekend meals to students throughout Genesee County.

The Women United Basket Auction starts today, Nov. 5^th and runs trhough Nov. 15^th.

It is hosted by William Kent Auctions and sponsored by The Hidden Door. With almost 50 items open for bidding, you will find there is something for everyone.

Please, use this link to access the auction.

The United Way of Genesee County and the Women United group thank you in advance for your support and continued dedication the United Way’s mission.

Together we are stronger and together we can make a difference.

Happy bidding!

Press release:

Batavia Rotary Club has donated $1,000 to United Way of Genesee County to help provide food for its Backpack Program that assists local families in need.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotary International Foundation made available $20,000 to clubs in District 7090, which includes the counties of Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. 

Through Rotary's District Grant process, Batavia Rotary Club applied for and received a $1,000 grant specifically to provide financial assistance to United Way of Genesee County’s Backpack Program. This program supplies weekend meals to students within multiple school districts in Genesee County.

With students home continuously over these past weeks, the demand for the weekend meal program has increased substantially. Each week brings more and more new families registering in the program.

From Bob Knipe, Batavia Rotary Club President:

"We are very pleased to receive this grant to be used by United Way of Genesee County.  Providing food for our neighbors in Genesee County is vitally important at this time, especially for families with children.  The Backpack Program operated by United Way here in our county offers food to some of our most vulnerable citizens.  With the recent increased demand for food, Batavia Rotary is able to help fill some of the gap."  

Batavia Rotary Club has just completed celebrating its 100th anniversary year of providing service to our community.  Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self."

The United Way of Genesee County has been supplying services and funding to many agencies through this time of uncertainty. The funding received from Batavia Rotary Club will be wholly used to purchase food for the weekend Backpack Program.

From Tammy Hathaway, executive director of the United Way of Genesee County:

“We cannot thank Batavia Rotary Club enough for their continued dedication to our mission. This is proof that our community is doing what it does best, uniting to ensure the needs of households in Genesee County are met.”

For those wanting to join Rotary in supporting the efforts of the United Way of Genesee County in feeding our neighbors, please contact Tammy Hathaway at 585-343-8141 or tammy.hathaway@uwrochester.org.

The United Way Backpack Program received a donation today from the Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football Program today. The Bulldawgs played Le Roy in a special fundraiser game this past weekend and collected nonperishable food donations and cash donations for the program. It provides a backpack filled with food to underprivileged children each Friday. The backpack is designed to provide meals and snacks for the family over the weekend. Pictured are John Reigle, left, Matt Dellapenna, Lori Stupp, Paul Grazioplene and Ken Proefrock. Stupp is the United Way's backpack volunteer coordinator.