15 Can Challenge helps feed community

ONEIDA » In fall 2014, the Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater Oneida decided to participate in the 15 Can Challenge. The idea was to collect one can of food each week over the next 15 weeks and then deliver to an area food pantry late in January. With a board of 21 members, this provided more than 300 food items to boost St. Patrick’s Food Pantry after a busy holiday season.

This is the fourth consecutive year the United Way Board of Directors has participated in this community project.

In 2015, the United Way board challenged the board of the Chamber of Com- merce to join this project. While the food collected by the United Way went to St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, the Chamber donated its food to the Karing Kitchen. The Chamber Board has now participated for three years.

In 2016, these boards set out to add another organization to the challenge — and the Rotary Club of Oneida agreed to participate, donating collected items to the Church on the Rock Food Pantry. The Rotary Club has now participated two years.

These three community organizations again delivered food to St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, Karing Kitchen and the Church on the Rock Food Pantry in late January and February.

Participants say they hope to continue this challenge for many years to come and invite other groups to participate for the betterment of the community.

From left, United Way members Ryan Badgley, Royale Scuderi, Megan Ebersold, Patrick Mautner, Pam Lynch, Beth Kelly, Craig Arnold, Valerie Smith Cornish, Christine F. Jones, Ginny Quell, Laurie Mutz and Ryan Mosack.

From left, Rotary Club members, Robin Hendry, Michele Ryan, O. Perry Tooker III, Greg Owens, Mike DeBottis, Catherine Docous, O. Perry Tooker IV, Steve Potter, Mary Pat Adams, Vince Mellon and Kevin Davies.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS From left, Chamber of Commerce members, Ryan Mosack, Victor Ramirez, Rachel Siderine, Royale Scuderi, Melissa King, Dr. Matt Allen, Kim Caro and Duane DeFrees.