Partnership Shares Meals for Those in Need

Scranton community program turns citizens’ monetary donations into meals for low income residents through area restaurant partnerships.
The Electric City Connection, a business and community partnership program, led by The University of Scranton (Community Relations Office, Center for Service and Social Justice and The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center), Scranton Tomorrow and Friends of the Poor in collaboration with Scranton restaurants, will accept $15 donations from area residents, which will then supply meals to low income residents.
The Electric City Connection, a business and community partnership program, led by The University of Scranton (Community Relations Office, Center for Service and Social Justice and The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center), Scranton Tomorrow and Friends of the Poor in collaboration with Scranton restaurants, will accept $15 donations from area residents, which will then supply meals to low income residents.

Community organizations are partnering with area businesses to provide meals to low-income residents. The Electric City Connection, an effort led by The University of Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow and Friends of the Poor, will accept donations which will then be used by local restaurant partners to supply meals for low-income residents.

Here’s how it works: members of the community are encouraged to donate $15 (via www.scrantontomorrow.org). Funds will be used to purchase $15 gift cards for participating Scranton restaurants to be used for take-out and delivery meal options, including, but not limited to: Abe’s Deli, the Black Box Café, Downtown Victoria’s Gourmet Cuisine, Fratelli’s Pizza & Pasta House, Mansour’s Market Café, Pizza by Pappas, Peculiar Slurp, POSH @ The Scranton Club, Savory Maza, A Little Pizza Heaven and Vincenzo’s Pizzeria & Catering.

Friends of the Poor, which is coordinating emergency food giveaways, will distribute the gift cards to low-income Scranton residents. “We are seeing tremendous need among families and individuals in our community due to this crisis. We are glad to partner on a program like this that taps into community generosity and also supports our local small businesses,” said Sr. Ann Walsh, IHM, assistant director, Friends of the Poor.

Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs, The University of Scranton, developed the program after learning about similar efforts in other cities. “The COVID-19 crisis is creating additional hardship for those who were already experiencing economic insecurity. This program is an effort to support the wellbeing of community members in need and support our local economy here in the City of Scranton,” she said. “We deeply appreciate the collaboration with partner organizations and local restaurant owners – finding ways to connect as a community is what will help get us through this crisis.”

The program was a natural fit for Scranton Tomorrow, a non-profit economic development organization in Downtown Scranton. In addition to helping those in need, the program will also support City restaurants facing their own set of economic challenges during this crisis. “The Electric City Connection is a prime example of the strength, resilience, creativity and compassionate spirit of the Scranton community,” said Leslie Collins, executive director, Scranton Tomorrow. “We are proud to coordinate this effort, and we will continue to create economic development incentives in support of local businesses during this challenging time.”  

The Electric City Connection will begin accepting donations on Friday. Mar. 20, with distribution of gift cards for fresh meals through Friends of the Poor beginning during the week of Mar. 23. Donation can be made through Scranton Tomorrow, at www.scrantontomorrow.org.  

For questions about The Electric City Connection, contact The University of Scranton Community Relations Office via email at community@scranton.edu or by calling 570-941-5529. Additional University partner offices include the Center for Service and Social Justice and University of Scranton Small Business Development Center

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