Cooking for a Cause

For the past two years, colleagues at First American Equipment Finance have hosted a diaper drive event each February at company headquarters. The annual diaper drive supports the Junior League of Rochester (JLR) Diaper Bank. This year, colleagues got creative and took the event virtual with a new spin: Cooking for a Cause. This virtual event provided an opportunity for First American colleagues and their families to connect with one another from their own kitchens, learning how to prepare homemade pasta with the help of local Chef Christin Ortiz over Zoom. Colleagues were asked to make contributions at the “door” in support of the JLR Diaper Bank. Donations from First American colleagues will provide enough diapers for 15 children for 6 months, according to the JLR Diaper Bank.

Watch the news 13 WHAM News “Bright Spot” segment here.

Fundraisers like this are much needed in Rochester, as the community faces the highest rate of childhood poverty among cities of comparable size, with more than half of all children living in poverty. Babies require 6 to 12 diapers per day, and diapers and diaper supplies can total over $100 per month for families. Diaper need has a physical effect on children and a psychological effect on parents who are unable to provide this basic necessity for their children. The Junior League of Rochester Diaper Bank has diaper drop-off locations throughout Rochester and also accepts monetary donations through their website.
 
First American is focused on supporting the local community and has called Rochester home for over 20 years. Colleagues are eager and excited to give back, and this is just one of many of the events First American has planned for the year ahead. First American colleagues are able to take 16 hours of paid Volunteer Time Off annually in support of community causes. In 2020, colleagues supported over 75 non-profits through donations, fundraisers and volunteer events. In 2019, First American was named Outstanding Corporation on National Philanthropy Day by the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of Genesee Valley Chapter.