November is a month to be grateful. A month to celebrate. In this month of giving and gratitude, we are highlighting 30 Reasons Why we celebrate the work of the CCDC in our mission to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and the community of Coraopolis.
As we close the year, we are asking our community to join us on this month-long journey of reflection and appreciation by making a year-end donation to the CCDC. Your tax-deductible donation helps to ensure that families in our region are stabilized, and much-needed programs are brought to town. Check out our 30 Reasons Why below and decide, what’s your reason? We would love to hear your reason at info@corycdc.org.
The CCDC is making a lasting impact in Coraopolis. We are leading in Coraopolis with a vision that honors the past and is pushing toward a better future.
The Community Garden promotes the education of gardening as a useful tool to self-sufficiency.
We welcome new businesses to Coraopolis with their very own ribbon cutting!
Our staff, board members and volunteers have strong ties to the Coraopolis community!
We’ve given 16 Coraopolis businesses facade improvement grants over the last two years with the help of our NPP funders.
We are adding ADA accessible spaces throughout our town.
Our community garden supplements our food pantry services with fresh vegetables for our guests.
We improve the quality of life for two Coraopolis homeowners annually by helping subsidize home improvements for low-income individuals through our partnership with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.
We host a Coraopolis business holiday decorating contest each December called Cory Bright. Vote for your favorite holiday display between Dec. 1-15 by emailing corybright@corycdc.org with the name of the business you think has the best display!
The Coraopolis Food Pantry, Weekend Snack Pack Program and Community Garden programs are held very dear to our hearts and those of the members of our community. At Coraopolis Community Development, we strive to improve the overall quality of life in our community, and a very important part of that is meeting the basic food needs of our region.
"Our legacy sponsors, artisanal and commercial bakeries alike, help us ensure that everyone gets bread and tasty baked goods on each visit to our food bank.
Thank you to our long time supporters at Bimbo Bread, Mancini's, Mediterra Bakehouse, Panera and Pepperidge Farm."
Mike and Heather Henry, CCDC Volunteers
"Ensuring kids have access to weekend snack packs is crucial because it helps address food insecurity, promoting their overall well-being, concentration in school, and fostering a supportive community that cares for its youngest members."
-Amy Cavicchia, Former Director of Programs and Friend of the CCDC
Our food pantry never turns anyone away. No matter who you are or where you are from; if you come to us, we will feed you.
We are investing in Coraopolis through beautification, putting up Murals for all to see.
Our small team is making a large difference in food insecurity and community revitalization in Coraopolis.
There’s nothing better than a bowl of cereal. That’s why everyone who goes through our pantry receives a box of cereal.
We are only able to do what we do because of our volunteers. Thank you to all those who help us achieve our mission!
We believe that input is crucial to strong communities and hold community conversations to get your feedback!
We have mutually beneficial partnerships with local colleges and universities that provides volunteers, internships, student projects and research, and more to our community.
We are nothing without the hundreds of volunteers and donors that come alongside us annually to help us meet our mission! Thank you!
"As a new board member of the CCDC, I am surrounded by colleagues who strive to make a difference for everyone in our community. We believe that Coraopolis is a special town with wonderful residents, businesses that make an impact, and tremendous growth potential." - Kishma Decastro-Sallis, CCDC Board Member
"We celebrate the CCDC because of everything they do for the community. I enjoy giving back and helping people, and I have found so much joy being involved with the CCDC. Growing up my parents always taught us to help if someone is in need, and that has stuck with me throughout my adult life. I now see the same drive in my daughter to help others, and my fiancé is equally involved with me."
-Krista, Coraopolis Food Pantry Manager
"The reason I'm here at the food bank is to help others in need, and use my time in a way that is more beneficial than just doing something for myself, and hopefully, that makes a difference."
-Tom, CCDC Volunteer
"I love the work of the CCDC because we are tangibly making life better for the people of Coraopolis through our multi-dimensional approach. The downtown business district is coming alive with art and facade improvements, our festivals are creating lasting memories, and our food programs ensure food security for hundreds of our local neighbors. The CCDC is pointing to the future of Coraopolis while making sure that no one is left behind." - Randon Willard, Executive Director
Each week, with the help of our friends at St. Andrew Church, we provide 182 children weekend snack packs with three pieces of fruit.
The restoration of the Coraopolis Train Station serves a three-fold goal of honoring the past, serving the present and looking to the future.
Our partnership with Age-Friendly Pittsburgh is making Coraopolis a wonderful place to grow old with intergenerational field trips .
We create memorable experiences for children and families!
In 2023, our food pantry will serve almost 11,000 individuals! Our numbers continue to rise as the cost of food increases.
Our Cory Closet program partners with Cornell School District to provide new clothing to children and youth in need.
Dave and Marge have been part of our food programs since the very beginning! They serve as delivery drivers, board members, fruit buyers for snack packs, budget preparers, and so much more!
We work alongside our small businesses to bring helpful resources, foot traffic, marketing, and more. Tomorrow is #smallbusinesssaturday. Take the day to walk our town and #shopcory!
"My reason is easy: I LOVE this town! We have a great past, and exciting present, but an even bigger future. The CCDC’s focus on current need and future opportunities is the right dual approach for impact and it’s why I will stay involved and active in transforming this amazing town. I Cory!"
-Shawn Reed, former Mayor, CCDC founder and board member, community ambassador
"The reason I'm here at the food pantry today in Coraopolis is because I wanted to do something good for the community. This is the best way I could think of; I do it twice a month. I get a chance to meet some of the people in the community that I deliver groceries to and the people who come through our drive thru service. Its the best way I could think of to help the community and give back. Now that I'm retired its time to give back."
-Mark, CCDC Volunteer
"I love helping in the community garden because it is something I love doing and seeing people happy when I give them vegetables."
-Carrol, CCDC Volunteer