Utica National Group Foundation Fund

For the second straight year, the Utica National Group Foundation has awarded $250,000 to more than 30 local food pantries and soup kitchens.

With the recent past being replaced by a new normal, communities struggle with the effects of the global pandemic, families try to meet basic needs and cope with a new educational environment—while nonprofit organizations attempt to keep up with the growing need for their services.

When the pandemic hit, many donor-advised fundholders stepped up to support relief efforts for organizations near and far. One fund in particular set out on a mission to combat one of the main pressure points that the community felt: food insecurity.

At the Rome Rescue Mission, helping those in need is fundamental. Offering a hand up—not a handout—are the words that the organization lives and serves by.

The Utica National Group Foundation Fund focuses its grantmaking on issues relating to poverty, education and helping youth and their families.

Where there’s hope, there’s life—and Hope House’s new home is breathing new life into the organization, its neighborhood and the individuals it serves.