Good morning and welcome to another edition of the HERE FOR GOOD Digest, United Way of the Greater Capital Region's (UWGCR) weekly newsletter. While the temperatures are certainly getting colder, this week we're focusing on a program that shines bright when its warmest: the Summer Meals Collaborative. Made up of 18 organizations across the nonprofit, education, government, and social services sectors, all of our partners work together to ensure every local kid has access to healthy and delicious meals in the summer months when they're away from school and childhood hunger is at its highest.

With more than 165,000 meals provided this past summer alone, the Summer Meals Collaborative has now served more than 2.14 million meals to Capital Region children and teens since the program launched in 2013! Offering far more than meals, 419 children took part in art, music, and literacy-based learning at 54 meal sites this year. We're grateful for our partners at Albany Center Gallery, CREATE Community Studios, Grassroots Givers, and The RED Bookshelf for bringing these enriching and inspiring programs to our communities!

As proud as we are of the success of this growing program, only 1 in 7 of the Capital Region children and teens who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunches at school have accessed Summer Meals in the past. Help us ensure no child goes hungry during the summer by making a donation to United Way of the Greater Capital Region today.

Thank you for being HERE FOR GOOD!

Each week we're introducing you to two new partners, donors, or volunteers who are helping United Way build a stronger, healthier, more equitable and resilient Capital Region. Today, we're proud to share the stories of our longtime partners at CDTA, and CREATE Community Studios, which is part of the Summer Meals Collaborative! Don't forget, you can watch all of our "Why I" videos on our website and YouTube channel.

Why I Partner - CREATE Community Studios

Why I Give - CDTA

which raised funds for UWGCR. Special thanks to CEO Bruce Zicari and Amy Gurren for running such a fun and exciting campaign!

Increasing 36% in the past four years, NBT is one of our fastest growing campaigns and it's largely due to the leadership of co-campaign chairs Alan Alexander and Mark Prian. At this past June's Annual Awards Celebration, Alan and Mark accepted our Campaign of Distinction award on behalf of the company. We're grateful for the continued support of everyone at NBT, including NBT leaders John Watt, Ruth Mahoney, and David Krupski.

Help us cheer on the Capital Region’s two most beloved college basketball teams at this year’s Albany Cup! Join United Way of the Greater Capital Region as we watch the Siena Saints and UAlbany Great Danes take the court at the MVP Arena on Sunday, November 26 at 5 p.m.

$5 from every ticket purchased through this site helps United Way and its network of more than 100 nonprofit partners meet the needs of families and individuals in eight counties across the Greater Capital Region.

United Way and its nonprofit partners can't make a positive impact in the Capital Region without YOU! Make a recurring monthly gift of $25 or more, and have your choice of exclusive UWGCR swag! Thank you for being HERE FOR GOOD!

Live United Long-sleeve T-shirt

UWGCR Insulated Quencher

United Way of the Greater Capital Region fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. It unites donors, volunteers, and community organizations in a common mission to strengthen our community and improve social conditions in the Capital Region.