Spread the Word

Dear X,

We are X days away from closing the 76^th Annual Appeal and your donation is more important than ever! Every dollar counts, and will help support food security, education and health organizations in Harlem and Morningside Heights. But more importantly, it will help CCS improve people’s lives in our community.

When we come together, we can make a difference. Click here and donate today! [Link to campaign page]

Warmly,

Your 76^th Steering Committee Representative

#ColumbiaCommunityService is celebrating 76 years of work in #Harlem and #MorningsideHeights. Consider making a donation that will support organizations that provide food relief, education, and vital social services. #CCS76 #ColumbiansGiveBack https://communityservice.columbia.edu

#ColumbiaCommunityService is celebrating 76 years of work in #Harlem and #MorningsideHeights. 100% of your donation will support organizations that provide food relief, education, and vital social services. #CCS76 #ColumbiansGiveBack https://communityservice.columbia.edu

Every dollar donated to #ColumbiaCommunityService does directly to support food security, education, and health organizations in #Harlem and #MorningsideHeights. #CCS76 #ColumbiansGiveBack https://communityservice.columbia.edu

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I Didn’t Realize that my Donation Is Given to the Community (versus to Columbia) 
“I learned that 100% of my donation goes towards helping local organizations that I believe in, so it became a no-brainer to give through CCS.”

I Can Only Give a Small Amount
“Did you know that $25 can pay for 10 meals in a soup kitchen? CCS makes that kind of impact with even small donations, so I give as much as I can every year.”

I’m Giving for the First Time
“Families in Harlem and Morningside Heights experienced the most devastation of any Manhattan zip code during the pandemic. Giving through payroll makes it easy, and it feels great to give for the first time.”

On Combating Hunger
“I see the lines at the food pantry in my neighborhood, which is a visible and stark reminder that people need our support. Giving through CCS helps locally and that means everything to me.”

On Social Service
“Last year, CCS funding made it possible for organizations to maintain their programs safely. This kind of focused giving is exactly why I give back through Columbia.”

On Education
“I know that a $25 donation gives two students the chance to spend an hour on STEM-related education at places like Harlem Grown. For me, that’s a great return on my investment in CCS.” 

On Clothing and Toy Drives
“I used to only donate clothing and give a toy every year around Christmas. But, I wanted to do more, so I started giving a small amount from my paycheck. It was easier than I thought.”

“CCS has been a proud supporter of Harlem and Morningside Heights for 76 years.

We believe solutions are built through collaborations and Without donor support our impact would not be possible.”

“I love that CCS focuses on education, health and social services. With children of my own, I know these areas are critical to be able to succeed/have an impact.”

“I ultimately believe in giving back where I live and work. I love that CCS finds where the needs are, and addresses them!”

"We value our long-time neighborhood partnership with Columbia Community Service whose generosity allows us to provide both a greater quantity and a higher quality of food to those who are hungry in our community than we would be able to provide if we relied on government funding alone. With grants of over $50,000 over the last few years, CCS helped us feed over 300,000 individuals.  CCS has also contributed toward winter hat and glove drives, and our annual holiday toy distribution to children in our neighborhood." – Rev. Mary Foulke

The seeds that would become Broadway Community were planted in 1982 with the creation of the Community Lunch program – a combined effort of volunteers from Broadway Presbyterian Church, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, and other neighboring organizations. Meals were prepared and provided to the hungry three times a week. In 1992, the organization formally incorporated so that it might expand its reach. For the next decade BCI developed as an addiction recovery program, with a variety of companion programs, including support groups, a women’s shelter, art education, and more. All the while, the soup kitchen continued, serving lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Thousands of people have been fed and nourished at Broadway Community – in body, mind, and spirit.

Through the years and through the changes in our program, one thing has remained constant, and that is the support of Columbia Community Services. CCS has provided $60,000 in grants that have enabled us to get food to approximately 48,000 guests.  CCS has been a vital partner to the stability and growth of Broadway Community. Through CCS grant support, it has enabled us to purchase much needed kitchen equipment, both large and small, as well as helped to provide food through crisis’ including the Covid pandemic. 

For the last 35 years, Columbia Community Service has supported the Bloomingdale School of Music, being a supporter in our mission for music access for the young people of the Upper West Side and Northern Manhattan. In the last 5 years alone, Bloomingdale has served over 500 students per year, and given $1.1 million in financial aid. CCS has played a critical role in this success through the key services and grant opportunities they offer local organizations. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful relationship with CCS and look forward to many more years of partnership. Over $100,000 in CCS grants have been used to provide scholarship rewards that have helped over 1500 student. -Erika Atkins, Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music

Your donation will help Harlem Grown maintain local urban farms throughout Harlem while providing STEM education to K-12 students. Your $25 donation to CCS allows grantees like Harlem Grown to invite two students to participate in one of their 1-hour immersive, hands-on farm tours that they provide to schools and youth groups throughout New York City. Students participating in the tour learn about hydroponics, soil-based farming, and composting while making a difference in their community. Give Now

At the Church of the Ascension Food Pantry, more than 400 families a week seek out assistance to help them keep food on the table. They offer their clients friendship, education, and dignity along with the provisions to keep them fed. With increases in the cost of food this year, food pantries are seeing increases costs and increased demand. Give Now

The Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet gives their clients the opportunity to choose new and gently used clothes to help them stay warm in the winter, dress well for job interviews, and maintain dignity and comfort throughout the year. Shoes, boots, and coats are in high demand in the winter, and often more expensive to purchase. They also provide hygiene products like soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. Give Now

New York Common Pantry fights hunger and food insecurity through programs that establish long-term independence for its clients. In addition to providing food to clients, they also offer resources like showers and laundry. NY Common Pantry also works to ensure that the food they provide is nutritionally balanced. Give Now

Essential workers, furloughed employees, single parents, and seniors have all turned to the Food Bank For New York City to fill in food gaps for themselves and their families during this challenging time. Your $1,000 donation will help CCS grantees like Food Bank For New York City provide 5,000 meals to struggling families. Give Now

• A gift of $25.00 provides breakfast and lunch for five soup kitchen guests
• A gift of $40.00 provides showers for one shelter guest for a year
• A gift of $50.00 provides breakfast and lunch for ten soup kitchen guests
• A gift of $250 provides a month's worth of laundry services for the guests at the shelter
• A gift of $1,500 covers breakfast and lunch for all soup kitchen guests for one day