March 2026
Community News
Island Groups Donate to Neighbors Foundation
Story and photos by Alice Gerard
The Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island received two donations on March 3 at the Grand Island Cultural Center, 2100 Baseline Road. The Service and Mercy Alliance, a mosque located at 1822 Huth Road, presented the Neighbors Foundation with a $1,000 donation, while BelleIsle Entertainment and the Parish Players offered a $500 donation.
Service and Mercy Alliance
Faisal Tahiri, Dr. Semira Khawar and April Arman present a $1,000 donation to the Neighbors Foundation and its president, Dave Conboy, who is standing with a group of foundation volunteers.
According to April Arman, a member of the mosque, "Muslims are currently celebrating the month of Ramadan. This time is particularly important for us, as this is a month of fasting. Fasting reminds us of what it is like to not have food and of how blessed we truly are in our daily lives. In addition, during this month, Muslims are required to donate a certain percentage of their discretionary income, which is then distributed to those in need. With this in mind, we wanted to donate to the Neighbors Foundation. With the help of a generous donor who matched the $500 raised dollar-for-dollar, we are thrilled to gift $1,000 to the Neighbors Foundation for use within our local Grand Island community."
Ramadan started on the evening of Feb. 17, and it will end March 19. The celebration of the breaking of the fast, Eid al-Fitr, will be held March 20.
Donating to the Neighbors Foundation fit in well with the Service and Mercy Alliance's mission, Arman explained: "As our name suggests, our mission is to be of service to the community. One of our original goals was to open a pantry since there is a commercial kitchen within the building. However, we hope to collaborate with the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island, since they are already working with families in need. With the current economic climate, some families are struggling to make ends meet, and so we felt strongly that we wanted to support the local pantry."
"We are so proud to call the Island our home and look forward to many more years of serving this wonderful community together," Arman said.
BelleIsle Entertainment & Parish Players
Gerard and Bonnie Cahill present a $500 donation on behalf of BelleIsle Entertainment and the Parish Players to the Neighbors Foundation, standing with a group of foundation volunteers.
A check was given to the Neighbors Foundation "out of the proceeds from 'Joseph and Mary,' the play we did in December 2025," said Gerard Cahill, author and one of the executive producers of the play. Cahill said the entire proceeds were split between the Neighbors Foundation and the Knights of Columbus, "to help with the renovations to the old St. Stephen Church and to create the new Grand Island Cultural Center as a performance venue."
"BelleIsle Entertainment is a Grand Island nonprofit organization, and we are pledged to use the profits we make to support charitable organizations in need of financial help for the good of our city," Cahill explained. "Our task is to produce entertainment that people can enjoy at a relatively inexpensive cost and then grant those funds to help others, however we can."
"Personally, I always enjoy it when one of our projects is successful, and we can help people who are in need of a little boost," Cahill said. "People helping other people is always a worthy calling. That's what the Neighbors Foundation is all about."
"Donations like these are essential and directly support our ability to provide confidential food assistance to Grand Island residents facing food insecurity," said the Neighbors Foundation president. "They allow us to purchase food and grocery gift cards that we provide to neighbors to help them through difficult times. More broadly, these gifts reinforce what the Neighbors Foundation is all about: people from across the community, and from many different backgrounds and faith traditions, coming together with a shared purpose."
December 2025
Donation
Rotary Club Donation Pushes Share Your Happiness Campaign Past $23,000
Grand Island Rotary Club President Faye Teluk presents a $4,000 matching-funds donation to the Neighbors Foundation president, pictured with Board Member and Community Outreach Chairperson Diane Garey.
Christmas week brought an extra reason to celebrate as Grand Island Rotary Club President Faye Teluk proudly presented a $4,000 matching-funds donation to the Neighbors Foundation — helping the Foundation's "Share Your Happiness" Campaign rise well beyond its ambitious $20,000 goal. Both are pictured with Board Member and Community Outreach Chairperson Diane Garey.
Thanks to the Rotary's generosity — and the overwhelming kindness of our community — the campaign total grew to more than $23,000. These funds will help support Grand Island families facing food insecurity and financial strain into the New Year. And it's not too late to donate — every contribution helps your neighbors right here on Grand Island.
December 2025
Donation
Thank You OurGeneration Solar and Energy Development Corporation
The Grand Island Neighbors Foundation was the grateful recipient of $4,000 from the OurGeneration Solar and Energy Development Corporation. Elie Schecter, an Officer with OurGeneration, indicated that the donation was in recognition of the completion of their solar development project at 871 Whitehaven Road, and their interest in giving back to the Grand Island community.
December 2025
Community
Thank You Sandy Beach Farm Store and Bakery
Meredith Stone and Sam Malriat, owners of the Sandy Beach Farm Store and Bakery, with their generous donation of baked goods.
The Grand Island Neighbors Foundation was the grateful recipient of donated baked goods from the Sandy Beach Farm Store and Bakery. Pictured are Meredith Stone and Sam Malriat, owners of the Sandy Beach Farm Store and Bakery. The Neighbors Foundation, an all-volunteer organization, used the donated baked goods to provide confidential food assistance to our neighbors on Grand Island during the Holiday Season when the need is greatest.
September 2025
Food Drive
Fill the Barrel Food Drive — Thank You Grand Island
Left: Collection barrel at Mallwitz's Island Lanes. Right: Library Director Bridgette Heintz and Neighbors Foundation volunteers at the Grand Island Memorial Library collection site.
During September the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island conducted a successful month-long "Fill the Barrel" Food Drive. Thank you to all who donated and to the businesses that served as collection sites: Dollar General at GI Plaza and Love Rd, Mallwitz's Island Lanes, Walgreens, Grand Island Memorial Library, Island Ship Center, Trilogy (The MOG), Thompson Farms Market, Pickleball Island, and Leaf, Stone and Steel.
Thompson Farms Market and the Grand Island Memorial Library continue as active collection sites for your donation of non-perishables year-round. With more Islanders seeking assistance, every donation helps keep shelves stocked and families fed. The Foundation also welcomes corporate sponsors to provide vital financial support.
For food assistance, call 716-775-7998. For sponsorship opportunities, call 716-773-5714.
August 2025
Community Event
Neighbors Foundation Raises Over $400 at Grand Island National Night Out
Pictured are: Anne Dietterich, April Smith, Arlene Larry, Cindy Kovacs, Diane Garey (Neighbors Foundation Night Out Event Coordinator), David Conboy, Mary Skibinksi and Dave Goris.
The Grand Island Neighbors Foundation raised over $400 at Grand Island's Night Out event on Tuesday, August 5th at the Town Commons. The event was well attended, and the Neighbors Foundation was able to share information on our organization and also raise money to help with our mission to combat food insecurity on the Island.
Special thanks to Chuck Grunzweig who generously donated the tank for our use, and also Councilman Jose Garcia and Highway Superintendent Candidate Jim Sedita, who joined Neighbors Foundation President David Conboy as dunkees.
We appreciate the efforts of all who participated and donated in this important event and fundraiser. The Neighbors Foundation, an all-volunteer organization, will use the donated funds to provide confidential food assistance to those in need on Grand Island.
October 2025
Community
Events to Honor the Life of Hank Kammerer
The Grand Island community came together on Monday, October 6, 2025 to honor the life and legacy of Hank Kammerer. Two events were held that evening — a dedication of the new food pantry at the Neighbors Foundation at 5 PM, and a celebration at the Rotary Club at 6 PM.
Hank was a Rotary member since 1975, Past Paul Harris Fellow, past club president, and also a founding member and longtime member and president of the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island.
2025
Donation
5th Annual Pinnacle Island Golf Tournament Raises $17,000 for Neighbors Foundation
Pictured are: Rick Schmitz, Beth Boron, Marty Rastelli, Tina Taylor (Pinnacle Vice President), and Arlene Larry (Neighbors Foundation Board Member).
The Grand Island Neighbors Foundation was the grateful recipient of $17,000 from the 5th Annual Pinnacle Island Golf Tournament, presented by Pinnacle Travel Staffing and sponsored by Vienna Laurendi, Associate Broker with Howard Hanna. This year's tournament included 44 teams and 176 golfers.
The Neighbors Foundation very much appreciates all the sponsors for this event, including Vienna Laurendi, Associate Broker with Howard Hanna, Say Cheese Pizza and Basil Automotive, as well as the exhibitor sponsors, dinner sponsors, tee sponsors, and all of the golfers who supported the event.
Special thanks to Marty Rastelli, owner of Pinnacle Travel Staffing, who started the tournament, and Rick Schmitz from Pinnacle who organized the event — as well as Beth Boron, Neighbors Foundation Board of Director, who coordinated volunteer support for this important fundraiser.
The Neighbors Foundation, an all-volunteer organization, will use the donated funds to provide confidential food assistance to those in need on Grand Island.
