Citizen Advocates CEO James Button and Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bilow visit with Heather Couture, Vice President, Relationship Manager for NBT Bank, at Donovan’s Steak & Ale during the Taste of Malone on April 28.
Local businesses, individuals pledge big support to eliminate childhood hunger
In its second year, the new-look Taste of Malone Event was a resounding success, raising $47,400 for the Citizen Advocates Backpack Program. Participating restaurants contributed over $7,500—a 25 percent increase over the 2021 event—and Adopt-A-Kid sponsorships related to the event totaled $8,300, with the balance of money raised coming from sponsors.
The fundraiser was held in April at participating restaurants across the community, each of which donated 20 percent of revenue generated from dine-in and take-out orders to the Backpack Program.
Participating restaurants were: Bokie’s Drive-In, Donovan’s Steak & Ale, The Malone Elks Lodge, The Grille Room at Malone Golf Club, Hosler’s Family Restaurant, Jessie’s Supper Club, Jreck Subs, Mo’s Pub & Grill, The Pines Tap & Table, Riverside Restaurant, Something Different Pizza & Deli, and SmokeHouse Pizzeria.
“It was tremendous to see the greater Malone community come out in full force to support Taste of Malone 2022,” said James Button, CEO of Citizen Advocates. “From restaurant to restaurant, table to table, folks were energized and excited to support this vital cause.”
Sponsored by Citizen Advocates’ newly established Foundation, the main goal of the Backpack Program is to eliminate childhood hunger in the North County. The program costs about $70,000 annually to operate and provides roughly 500 children in grades kindergarten through six with nutritious food on the weekend throughout the school year.
“We could not be more thankful for the community’s support of Taste of Malone and the Backpack Program,” said Jennifer Bilow, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “The mission of our new Foundation is to support health, wellness, and belonging in the North Country, core ideals that are exemplified by the Backpack Program.”
All funds raised from the event go directly to the program, which relies entirely on volunteer time for support. Each Tuesday, volunteers fill bags with food, which are then delivered to schools where staff discreetly distribute the bags to participating children.
Several local individuals and businesses also gave generously to help with program costs:
Corporate Sponsors
- Adirondack for Kids
- NBT Bank
Major Sponsors
- Merrill Lynch
- Sid G. Spear Insurance
- TruNorthern Federal Credit Union
- United Way of the Adirondack Region
Partner Sponsors
- Alice Hyde Medical Center
- Arnold Lumber & Concrete
- Bailey Ford
- Benardot Pediatrics
- Chateaugay Central School Student Council
- Edward Duquette and Son, Inc.
- Ellis Automotive
- Fleming’s Fine Furniture
- Furniture Weekend
- The Golub Foundation
- H&R Block
- The Hoffman Eells Group
- IBC
- Industrial Press
- Joe’s Glass
- King-Clark Company, Inc.
- King’s Wok Buffet
- Malone AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
- Malone Rotary Club
- Malone Telegram
- Nathan N. Race, Esq.
- Northern Adirondack Board of Realtors
- Anthony Russo
- Stewart’s Shops
- Warren Tire Service Center
Individuals wishing to sponsor an individual child for a year are encouraged to make a $125 donation to the Adopt-A-Kid Campaign. To learn more, contact Jennifer Bilow at (518) 651-5172.
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