Rochester Area Non-Profits to Receive Grants from Oakland Together Community Response and Recovery Fund

Rochester Area Non-Profits to Receive $350k in Grants from Oakland Together Community Response and Recovery Fund for COVID-19 Relief Four (4) non-profit organizations from the Rochester area whose services were severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis were selected to receive a combined total of $350,000 in grants from the Oakland Together Community Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF). The grants will help the organizations restore vital services and programs that were reduced or eliminated … [Read more...]

The Allstate Foundation Grant to Support Nonprofit’s Work to Fight Childhood Hunger

Thirty-five Allstate agency owners and financial specialists from across Michigan recently came together to secure a $35,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant to benefit Blessings in a Backpack. The grant will support the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide students at risk for food insecurity with a backpack containing six nutritious meals to feed them over the weekend.  Julie Hoops in Rochester and Thea Collins in Rochester Hills were two of the local Allstate agency owners who … [Read more...]

Rochester Junior Woman’s Club Celebrates 60 Years in the Community

In 1956, 16 Rochester women; Robin Blanton, Joan Brann, Marilyn Brooks, Mary Burke, Mary Eberline, Peg Fetterly, Eveline Goble, Pat Henry, Ruth Herkless, Helen Mair, Kathy Crowe McAfee, Tommy Nirider, Gwen Ott, Ibbie Price, Leonore Talley and Katy Upton, came together to help the Rochester community be a better place to live. And, today, 60 years later, RJWC is still making a difference, fundraising and contributing to community betterment programs and organizations. The nonprofit, … [Read more...]

Deerfield Elementary Empty Bowls Night Raises $1200 for Blessings in a Backpack

Avondale School District families support community effort Avondale School District Deerfield Elementary students, families and staff members who attended the school’s Empty Bowls Night received a hand-crafted bowl as a reminder that some bowls in every community are empty. “The entire school painted the bowls and everyone who came to the dinner got to take one home,” said Deerfield Elementary Art teacher Katherine Suender who organized the event. “The evening raised $1200 to support Avondale … [Read more...]

Donate Non-Perishable Food at Movies in the Moonlight

The Rochester Downtown Development Authority has partnered with the Rochester Community Kitchen to collect non-Perishable food donations during the spectacular Movies in the Moonlight! You can drop off your donations during each of the Movies in the Moonlight dates at the donation box located near the Third Street entrance. Donations are also being accepted through September at Rochester’s Farmer’s Market, located at East Third and Water Street, every Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., … [Read more...]

Long Meadow Fifth Graders Count Change and Blessings in a Backpack

Long Meadow Elementary fifth-grade students gathered together to count change and pack food for Blessings in a Backpack (blessingsinabackpackmi.org), an organization that helps students who receive reduced or free lunch within the Rochester Community School district. More than 30 fifth-graders, along with their parents, packed more than 225 bags of food provided in part by Meijer, to be distributed to students as meals for the weekend. The effort is one of many planned to help others in the … [Read more...]

Blessings in a Backpack Fundraiser in Oakland Township July 17

Stop by the Nice Day Café located at the corner of Orion Road and Collins Road in Goodison on Sunday, July 17, from 11 - 2 p.m. for a fundraiser to help feed children in the Rochester area.  Star Wars characters from the 501st battalion will be in full uniform to play Nerf games with the children in the parking lot.  Goodison Family Chiropractic will have games and prizes for kids, and face painting is available by An Affair to Remember. Enjoy hot dogs, potato chips, pop, and cupcakes while … [Read more...]

Blessings in a Backpack

Please join us for an inspiring evening ... Liz Murray will be here in Rochester Hills to share her story of overcoming adversity and the importance of dreaming big. After being homeless at an early age, Liz battled her way through life to complete high school in two years and graduate from Harvard. Liz says, “Look at what’s going on in our economy right now. People are losing their jobs and houses, and there’s an underlying fear that when we lose the things we believe make us who we are, we’re … [Read more...]