Events & Activities
If you would like to have more information please contact:
The JPC Office at (315) 734-9608 or e-mail at info@johnsonparkcenter.org
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Traffic Diversion Program Helps Nonprofit
Oneida County’s Traffic Diversion Program Helping Nonprofits
By Melissa Krull Central NYUPDATED 7:04 PM ET Jan. 18, 2021 PUBLISHED 10:41 AM ET Jan. 18, 2021
It’s cold outside, but Reverend Ursula Meier always seems to have a warmth about her. The reverend recently had quite the surprise when the police showed up.
“So, we had a police officer that came to Johnson Park, and you know when the police show up you’re always like, ‘What happened?’ and then he took a check out and says, ‘We have a check for you’, and we’re like, ‘You bring us money?’,” she said.
He did. Sometimes through Oneida County’s new Traffic Diversion Program lawbreakers have to make a donation to a local nonprofit.
“I looked at it and the first check was $1,000,” said Meier. “We’re like, ‘Wow this is incredible’, and before we were able to recognize the officer, he took out the door and we stood there with a check for $1,000.”
She says all of the donations from the program have been used to buy food for the center’s food giveaways. Of course, no one is being encouraged to break the law, but the donation part of the program is helpful for communities.
“It went to purchasing food, and that food helps hundreds of people in the community. So from there it’s a win-win. You have traffic violations, you endanger the community, and so you’re giving back to the community” said Meier.
Giving back and investing in the community, that’s what Reverend Meier and the Johnson Park Center are all about and how she says they’ve changed the neighborhood.
“You have to give and I think this is an important message right now. We have to give up ourselves. We have to give to others. That’s the only way we can get through,” Meier said.
The center’s staff hope to eventually build an apartment building and community center. In the meantime, they say any donations are greatly appreciated.
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News
Release Immediately: Sunday, January 3, 2021
What: Thank You & the January 2021 Johnson Park Center (JPC) Food Pantry Opening Days/Hours
Where: 1404 West Street, NY 13501
Contact: JPC Office 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at (315) 734-9608Email at: revmeier@johnsonparkcenter.org
Utica, NY. Thank you to Capraro Technologies, Inc. (CTI), the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, and all of the donors for financial gifts to the JPC Food Pantry to purchase food for persons in need. You helped us to reach our goal successfully and very quickly. We have closed out this campaign. Thank you again for caring and giving.
Walk-Up:
- Mon, Jan 4, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm,
- Tue, Jan 5, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm,
- Mon, Jan 11, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm,
- Tue, Jan 12, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm,
- Tue, Jan 19, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm
Free Food Giveaway:
- Drive-Thru on Mon, Jan 25, 2021, from 2 pm to 7 pm
- Walkers on Tue, Jan 26, 2021, from 3 pm to 6 pm.
If you have any questions or need additional information, the best way to contact Rev. Ursula Meier, JPC COO & Media Coordinator is by email: revmeier@johnsonparkcenter.org Or call her at (315) 269-8580.
Thank you so much for your continual support and Join Positive Change at Johnson Park Center (JPC).
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News
Release Immediately: Saturday, December 26, 2020
What: Make A Difference-Help Reduce Food Insecurity and Hunger & Jan 2021 Food Pantry Schedule
Contact: Rev. Meier, 315-269-8580.
Email at: revmeier@johnsonparkcenter.orgWhere: JPC Food Pantry 1404 West St, PO Box 160, Utica, NY 13503-0160
Utica, NY. Johnson Park Center (JPC) is honored and very pleased to share the good news that the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties pledged $ 5,000 and will host the web site to accept your donations to feed people in need. Additionally Capraro Technologies, Inc. (CTI) offering to match up to $10,000 to ensure that food will be available to the less fortunate at the JPC Food Pantry in 2021.
The JPC Food Pantry served 1,374,615 million meals in 2020 versus 265,725 meals in 2019. To continue to meet the demand in 2021, we need your support to fill bags with food for families and single individuals struggling during the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Feeding America list that each third child in New York experiences Food Insecurity, which may harm their health.
The “Food Bank of Central New York reports that 63% of client households with seniors report making choices between paying for food and paying for medicine/medical care. and 88% of clients agreed that receiving food at emergency, food agencies helped them get the food they could not receive any another way.”
Please see the link below, go to the Foundation’s website site, and donate.
Your donation will make a difference for individuals and families experiencing hardship by the COVID-19. Join us, and donate to ease the burden of hunger and food insecurity in our and your community. See the attached January 2021 JPC Food Pantry Flyer with Opening Days/Hours:
Thank you so much for your continual support and Join Positive Change at Johnson Park Center (JPC).
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Johnson Park Center Distributes Food and Gifts to Families in Need
BY HARRISON GRUBB UTICAPUBLISHED 1:10 PM ET DEC. 12, 2020
Throughout the past week, staff and volunteers at Johnson Park Center in Utica distributed food and gifts to families in need, just in time for the holidays.
Monday through Wednesday, the organization provided hundreds of gifts to members of the community.
What You Need To Know
Johnson Park Center distributed gifts and foot to families in need for the holidays
Organization leaders say it’s a crucial time to help the community
The organization will have an additional food giveaway this upcoming week before a holiday break
It’s a way to help out during an unprecedented holiday season.
“People are really suffering at this time,” said Rev. Dr. Maria Scates, the founder and CEO of Johnson Park Center.
Scates founded the organization 25 years ago. She’s no stranger to the hardships some who visit JPC are experiencing.
“I was once homeless, sleeping in abandoned buildings and cars. I understand what it is not to have food on the table,” she said.
Now she’s the CEO of the organization making sure that families have what they need for the holidays.
This year’s event had to adapt to the circumstances, including having neighbors register to avoid large crowds.
On top of giving away gifts, volunteers were also giving out bags of food.
“I love to help people, any time of the year, but especially now with COVID and during the holidays, everybody needs a little extra help,” said Olivia Jones, a volunteer.
While gifts and food were being given out outside, volunteers and staff worked inside to make sure bags were filled with toys and other special items.
“It makes me feel good, great. I’m helping out, there’s people that don’t have what we have,” said volunteer Deirdre Rodriguez.
What goes into each bag depends on the age and gender of the recipient. Once complete, they’re marked with a registration number and brought outside for distribution.
Johnson Park Center will have another food giveaway next week before taking a short break for the holidays.
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Johnson Park Center’s Final Food Giveaways of 2020
by: Jazzmyn AllenPosted: Dec 9, 2020 / 07:16 PM EST / Updated: Dec 9, 2020 / 07:16 PM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR-TV) — For 25 years, The Johnson Park Center in Utica has been providing the community with food all year round. Like other food pantries, they too are feeling the financial impact of the pandemic.
“We’re seeking other sources to try to be able to purchase more food from different places. What happened here with us is we were doing 2 giveaways a month you know we had to reduce it to one. Okay we were open 3 days a week, we had to reduce it to 2.” – Rev. Dr. Maria A. Scates, D.D., Founder/CEO, Johnson Park Center
At a time when the community needs more help than ever.
“The need is just so great people are coming to us, they’re pleading. We actually had mothers who said keep the gifts, we need to the food. . . A lot of people have lost their jobs. The reality is that people don’t have money to buy these things.” – Rev. Dr. Maria A. Scates, D.D., Founder/CEO, Johnson Park Center
Although their budget is tight, Rev. Scates says they’re still giving everything then can. Their last food giveaways of 2020 will be Monday the 14th from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday the 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. JPC is encouraging the community to come by and stock up until they reopen on January 4th.
“We’re going to have lots of food. No one will go hungry for Christmas if they come visit and see us and they’ll have enough to last them until the first of the year and it’s open to everyone.” – Rev. Dr. Maria A. Scates, D.D., Founder/CEO, Johnson Park Center