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“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear Friends,
Dr. King’s words remind us that we do not live separate lives. We share the same community, the same schools, the same neighborhoods, and, ultimately, the same future.
At InterFaith Works, this belief guides our work every day. When a refugee family builds a new beginning, when an older adult seeks connection, when a neighbor reaches out for support, we see the power of community in action. What strengthens one household strengthens us all.
Across each of these moments, one need remains foundational: access to food.
Food is stability. Food is health. Food is dignity. Food is justice.
Without reliable access to nutritious food, families cannot focus on housing, employment, education, or healing. When food becomes uncertain, everything else becomes unstable.
For thousands of families across Central New York, rising food costs are making it harder to meet this most basic need. At the same time, changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility criteria and participation guidelines in 2026 create additional uncertainty for many households. Many of the families we serve rely on SNAP as part of their monthly support. When program requirements shift, families must quickly recalibrate their grocery budgets while balancing rent, transportation, and health care.
When uncertainty rises, InterFaith Works is often where families turn for stability and trusted support.
Last year alone, our Food Justice program through the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action supported 36,400 pantry clients and distributed more than 86,000 bags of food through 66 community partners. During the same year, the Center for New Americans provided $9,840 in grocery gift cards, supporting 223 individuals. The neighbors we serve include immigrant families building new lives, older adults living on fixed incomes, working parents doing everything they can to keep up, and children whose well-being depends on steady access to nutritious meals.
InterFaith Works is not a food pantry. We walk alongside families during moments of transition and uncertainty, helping close gaps before they become crises so individuals and families can move forward with dignity. Through a network of 66 food pantry partners, support within senior housing communities, and trusted relationships with immigrant and refugee families, we help ensure that food access reaches people who might otherwise be left out of traditional systems.
As demand continues to grow, InterFaith Works is expanding our capacity to increase community food access and strengthening our pantry partnerships across the region. Your support allows us to act quickly and nimbly when circumstances change, ensuring families continue to receive the stability they depend on.
Because what affects one directly still affects us all.
Please consider supporting our work this spring:
- Make a financial gift online or by check.
- Become a monthly supporter to provide steady assistance.
- Ask your employer about matching your gift.
- Donate grocery store gift cards.
- Organize a gift card drive through your workplace, faith community, or neighborhood.
For 50 years, InterFaith Works has affirmed the dignity of every person by standing alongside families in moments of uncertainty. Your gift helps ensure that, in the moments people need community most, no one faces them alone.
With gratitude,
Chris Foley,
President/CEO, InterFaith Works of Central New York
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GIVING MADE EASY
I would like to help InterFaith Works create more stories of dignity and hope:
SCHEDULED GIFTS:
You can now schedule monthly, quarterly or annual recurring gifts through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit program. ACH allows you to donate electronically, without the need to write a check or use a credit card, and there are no credit card fees that reduce the amount of your gift. For more information or to sign up for ACH, contact InterFaith Works at [email protected], or call 315-449-3552, ext. 114.
MAIL:
You can mail your donation payable to InterFaith Works of CNY to:
InterFaith Works of CNY
Development Department
1010 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
Follow this link for a printable donation form
IRA QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION/REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION:
To gift an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution/Required Minimum Distribution, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected].
STOCKS:
To make a gift of stocks, please contact the InterFaith Works Finance Office at 315-449-3552, ext. 121, or email [email protected].
TRIBUTE/MEMORIAL Gift:
If you would like to make your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, please indicate the person’s name for whom you are making a donation in the notes section while completing your online transaction.
QUESTIONS?
If you need help in completing your transaction, or if you wish to fund a specific need or program, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected].
Thank you for supporting our mission to affirm the dignity of each person and every faith
community, build racial and religious equity, and create bridges of understanding among us.
Fiscal donations, gift cards and volunteering opportunities are still welcomed and much appreciated.
Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer – 315-449-3552, ext. 219, [email protected]
Community Engagement Manager – 315-449-3552, [email protected]
If you would like to receive our newsletter and recent updates, please email us at [email protected] to request inclusion on our mail lists.
Pay tribute to a special person, or honor the memory of a loved one by making a gift in their name. All tribute and memorial gifts will be acknowledged through a note to the honoree or family of the departed commemorated.
Donate by Credit/Debit Card Donate through PayPal
If donating via Credit/Debit card or PayPal, please indicate the name of the person for whom you are making your gift, as well as the name and contact information of those you would like notified of your gift, in the “additional notes,” “in honor of,” or “in memory of” section when making your transaction.
If you need further assistance, please email [email protected] or call 315-449-3552, ext. 114.
SCHEDULED GIFTS:
You can now schedule monthly, quarterly or annual recurring gifts through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit program. ACH allows you to donate electronically, without the need to write a check or use a credit card, and there are no credit card fees that reduce the amount of your gift. For more information or to sign up for ACH, contact InterFaith Works at [email protected], or call 315-449-3552, ext. 114.
MAIL:
You can mail your donation payable to InterFaith Works of CNY to:
InterFaith Works of CNY
Development Department
1010 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
STOCKS:
To make a gift of stocks, please contact Chief Financial Officer Patty Radell at 315-449-3552, ext. 121, or email [email protected].
QUESTIONS?
If you need help in completing your transaction, or if you wish to fund a specific need or program, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected], and you will receive a personal response.
Your gift to InterFaith Works supports our numerous programs:
• Center for New Americans Refugee Resettlement
• El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action
• Center for Healthy Aging
Click on the links above to learn more about our programs and the many projects and events sponsored by InterFaith Works. If you wish to support a specific need or program, contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected], and you will receive a personal response.
What’s Your Legacy?
“A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” –D. Elton Trueblood
Every day, InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of each person and every faith community and builds bridges of understanding. By partnering with those who share these values, we—and you—can secure the future of the agency for years and for generations.
Why Has InterFaith Works Established an Endowment Fund? The agency has created an Endowment Fund to help ensure it has the financial resources to meet its needs years and even decades from now.
What Is an Endowment Fund?InterFaith Works’ Endowment Fund is a permanent fund that provides for the future needs of the agency and those it serves. Gifts to the fund are invested for growth and a portion of the fund may be used to sustain the agency’s programs or to fund new programs or projects as the need arises.While a donor may contribute a gift to the agency for immediate use (such as a donation to the year-end appeal), a gift designated to the Endowment Fund is an investment in the agency’s future.The Central New York Community Foundation was selected to hold the fund, invest the fund’s assets for growth, and provide its experienced staff who are available to assist those making gifts to InterFaith Works’ Endowment Fund, if requested. The Central New York Community Foundation, established in 1927, serves as a permanent community endowment for the betterment of Central New York and is the largest charitable foundation in the region.
How Do I Make a Gift to the Endowment Fund?Gifts to the Endowment Fund may be made during your lifetime or planned as part of your estate. There are several ways to make a gift to InterFaith Works’ Endowment Fund. These include:
Donating Now: You may provide for the future needs of InterFaith Works by making an outright gift now. Examples include cash gifts made by check, credit card, appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and paid up life insurance.
Pledged Gift: You may make a pledge now to the Endowment Fund and fulfill it over a specified period of time.
Planned Gift: You may make a gift to the Endowment Fund as part of your estate plan. Planned gifts are often attractive because they do not impact your current standard of living, and may permit you to make a larger gift than what was possible during your life. Examples of planned gifts include a bequest in your will (e.g., a specific amount or a percentage of your estate), as well as designating the agency as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy or a retirement plan (including IRAs, 403(b) and 401(k) accounts).
What if I Have Already Designated InterFaith Works in My Estate Plan?If you have already included the agency in your will, trust, life insurance, or other type of estate plan, please let us know. We’d like to thank you.
Who Should I Contact to Make a Gift or for More Information?If you would like to receive more detailed information about the Endowment Fund or how you could participate, please contact:
InterFaith Works of Central New York
Attention: Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer
1010 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
Call: 315-449-3552, ext. 219
Email: [email protected]
InterFaith Works staff and professionals at the Central New York Community Foundation are available to discuss the ways you may make a gift to the Endowment Fund now or create a planned gift that will benefit the agency in the future while continuing to meet your current financial goals. As with any financial decision, please consult your legal or financial advisor to discuss what type of gift is best for you.
| Enjoy the ease and convenience of being a recurring donor while providing ongoing support and stability for our work and programs. Your gift can be charged to your credit card on a recurring basis on a specific monthly date, or in the time frame of your choice. You can adjust your giving level or your commitment at any time. Be sure to check the recurring gift box at the bottom of the initial PayPal transaction page. |
Robert and Roberta Grimm:
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James E. Mackin:
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The late Robert and Roberta Grimm devoted their lives and resources to their faith community and social justice causes. A recent bequest from the Roberta J. Grimm Charitable Trust has helped ensure their work continues through InterFaith Works. To read about the Grimms, please follow this link. |
James E. Mackin, a Central New York native who has practiced trust and estate law for 40 plus years, first learned of InterFaith Works through his activities as a donor and board member of the Central New York Community Foundation. To read about James Mackin, please follow this link. |
InterFaith Works is committed to maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality and security with your online donation.
Donate by Credit/Debit Card Donate through PayPal
GIVING MADE EASY
SCHEDULED GIFTS:
You can now schedule monthly, quarterly or annual recurring gifts through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit program. ACH allows you to donate electronically, without the need to write a check or use a credit card, and there are no credit card fees that reduce the amount of your gift. For more information or to sign up for ACH, contact InterFaith Works at [email protected], or call 315-449-3552, ext. 114.
MAIL:
You can mail your donation payable to InterFaith Works of CNY to:
InterFaith Works of CNY
Development Department
1010 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
Follow this link for a printable donation form
IRA QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION/REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION:
To gift an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution/Required Minimum Distribution, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected].
STOCKS:
To make a gift of stocks, please contact the InterFaith Works Finance Office at 315-449-3552, ext. 121, or email [email protected].
TRIBUTE/MEMORIAL Gift:
If you would like to make your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, please indicate the person’s name for whom you are making a donation in the notes section while completing your online transaction.
QUESTIONS?
If you need help in completing your transaction, or if you wish to fund a specific need or program, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected].
Thank you for supporting our mission to affirm the dignity of each person and every faith
community, build racial and religious equity, and create bridges of understanding among us.
SCHEDULED/RECURRING GIFTS:
You can now schedule monthly, quarterly or annual recurring gifts through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit program. ACH allows you to donate electronically, without the need to write a check or use a credit card, and there are no credit card fees that reduce the amount of your gift. For more information or to sign up for ACH, contact InterFaith Works at [email protected], or call 315-449-3552, ext. 114.
You can also schedule gifts through PayPal by checking the “Make this a monthly donation” recurring option on the initial transaction page.
Would you like to support InterFaith Works, but are unsure of how your gift can meet your needs and the immediate and long-term needs of the agency? Please feel free to contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected]. We would be pleased to speak with you about our agency, its programs and your philanthropic interests.
Thank you for your interest in making a contribution to InterFaith Works. We rely on gifts from people just like you to help us fulfill our mission of affirming the dignity of every member of our community through service, education and dialogue. Each and every gift–no matter how large or small–is important to the people and communities we serve. Your gift makes a difference! If you need help in completing your transaction, or if you wish to fund a specific need or program, please contact Marwah Alobaidi, Vice President/Chief Development Officer, at 315-449-3552, ext. 219, or email [email protected], and you will receive a personal response.
