Just in time for the holidays, Lewiston resident Angelo Sarkees and his Deposits for Food initiative presented donations totaling $3,000 to Heart, Love & Soul Food Pantry and Community Missions of Niagara Frontier. The donations, presented last week, were the second checks the agencies have received from the program in 2014.
Deposits for Food began in August 2013 when Sarkees began collecting bottles, cans and scrap metal. Since that time, more than 50,000 bottles and cans, along with 10 to 15 tons of scrap metal, have been collected. The resulting deposits, along with support from Modern Corporation and Sevenson Environmental Services, have resulted in over $6,000 in donations to Heart, Love & Soul and Community Missions. Collections are expected to continue throughout the winter.
“Each time that we hear from Angelo Sarkees, we are blown away by the work that he has done,” said Christian Hoffman, communications and development manager at Community Missions. “We are very fortunate to have community members offer such wonderful support of our services. We are so appreciative of his efforts and this donation, which comes at a vital time of year as we provide food to those in need.”
Sarkees said he would like to thank sponsors Modern Corporation and Sevenson Environmental Services, along with Favorite’s Pizza, The Spicey Pickle, The Brickyard, Tin Pan Alley, and the many private donors, relatives and friends that have contacted him for collections. In addition, he would also like to extend a special thanks to the Porter Cup Committee for allowing the collection of depositable items during this year’s tournament. Finally, he said sincere thanks goes to Porter Empties Redemption Center in Ransomville, where more than 40,000 bottles and cans have been redeemed this year alone, for their 10 percent deposit premium.
“There are so many people and businesses that help to make this program a success, and I am appreciative of each of them,” Sarkees explained. “I must also thank all those who work at the two pantries — heroes all and the true inspiration for Deposits for Food.”
Originally published in Niagara Gazette, Nov. 28, 2014