City steps up to plate in End 68 Hours of Hunger campaign

ROCHESTER - The City of Rochester will be a corporate sponsor for the month of January to the local chapter of the End 68 Hours of Hunger organization, officials announced on Thursday.

As part of the sponsorship, a food drive will be held in place of the city's traditional holiday drive, where, in years past, departments would sponsor a family through the school program Families in Transition.

Drop-off bins will be located in each municipal building and public school during the drive. Some buildings have already set up bins, with the rest to be in place by the end of this week.

Donations from city employees will be accepted through Jan. 24.

As this is an employee drive, the city is not seeking public donations. However, the public is still encouraged to donate on their own through End 68 Hours of Hunger Rochester. Information can be found on the organization's website (select the "Find Your Community" link at the top).

End 68 Hours of Hunger Rochester is a private, not-for-profit organization that seeks to end childhood hunger in America. The term "68 hours" refers to the hunger some children experience between the free lunch they receive in school on Friday and the free breakfast they get in school on Monday. Through local chapters the organization provides bags of food to these children to take home on the weekend. These bags provide the children with three dinners, two breakfasts and two lunches.

There are currently over 125 Rochester children assisted locally by the program.

Suggested donation items for the organization include:

Pop Tarts and small cereal boxes

Ramen noodles

Jelly, plastic jar

Dry pasta or canned pasta (Beefaroni, ravioli, etc.)

Peanut butter (10-16 ounce)

Pasta sauce, canned or plastic jar

Fruit, canned or plastic cups, individual size

Hormel Complete Meals

Individual packages of crackers, nuts, instant oatmeal

Granola/protein bars, individually wrapped

Hearty soups, canned

Ham, chicken, tuna, etc. (10-ounce cans or smaller)

Fruit juices, individually packaged

Instant flavored potatoes, rice or noodles

Gift Cards are also accepted, to Hannaford, Market Basket or Dollar Tree.

Municipal employees are asked not to donate items in glass containers or outdated food. Small items are best, as children carry these items home from school.

"We encourage all municipal and school employees to take part in this drive and support a very worthwhile cause," said Lisa Stanley, incoming co-coordinator of the Rochester chapter of End 68 Hours of Hunger. "I know the Police Department has already issued a friendly challenge to our friends in the Fire Department to see who can donate the most food. No matter what, we hope to be able to make a substantial donation for children in need in our community."

About the Rochester Chapter:

The Rochester chapter of End 68 Hours of Hunger was started in 2014 by Rotarian, Police Commissioner and 2016 Citizen of the Year Derek Peters, during his tenure as Rochester Rotary President. It has been coordinated ever since by Peters and fellow Rotarian Jackie Fitzpatrick.

Peters is stepping down as chapter co-coordinator this year, and fellow Police Commissioner Stanley will be assuming the role alongside Fitzpatrick.

The local chapter is sponsored by the Rochester Rotary Club and receives financial support from Eastern Propane & Oil, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Rochester Runners and numerous individuals.

End 68 Hours of Hunger Rochester is seeking to expand it's base of support in the community. Any local business or individual that would like to support the program financially or through hosting a food drive can contact Lisa Stanley at rochesternh@end68hoursofhunger.org