Foodlink is one of four organization receiving a $32,000 dollar gift.
On Monday, the Kessler Group, which owns and operates Burger King and Friendly restaurants in Upstate New York, won a 401k challenge from Karpus Investment Management. The group divided nearly $130,000 between four charities including Foodlink.
"It's a really great time to give back. It’s wonderful to give back to organizations that are right here in the Rochester area,” says Aaron Flajsing, the director of Loss Prevention and Energy Management.
Flajsing says they chose the organizations based on the impact they've made on the community.
The chief development officer of Foodlink, Julia Tedesco, says the financial gift is right on time for the holidays. She says both families below and above the poverty line are struggling to cover the expenses.
"We know at Foodlink that the first thing that gets cut is food. They need to pay their mortgage or their rent and they need to cover their heating bills. They need to pay for their car. Food is one area where we can bridge their financial gap. So donations like this and awards from Karpus and Kessler allow us to create those bridges and make sure those families continue to sustain themselves."
The American Diabetes Association, Chabad of Rochester and Easter Seals of Western New York also received $32,000 from the Kessler Group.