(By K
evin Manne, CCWNY) With Catholic Charities of Buffalo in need of turkeys for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the Broadway Market held the first-ever “Broadway Battle” Table Tennis Tournament Oct. 16, where players competed to win the title of tournament champion – all in the name of a good cause.
Winners of the tournament were Ray Nagel, first place; Cliff Falk, second place; Tom Handley, third place; and Scott Gaddi, fourth place. Richard Roman, an official USA Table Tennis referee, donated his time to oversee the tournament and Former Miss Buffalo Nina Perino sang the National Anthem.
Entry fees totaling $210 were donated to Catholic Charities to provide turkeys to families in need this Thanksgiving. But even with this contribution, food will still be in short supply according to Eileen Nowak, Catholic Charities’ director of Parish Outreach and Advocacy.
“We are so grateful to the Broadway Market and all the tournament participants for their efforts, but we still do not have enough to ensure that people who have nowhere else to turn can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year,” said Nowak.
To alleviate storage concerns at Catholic Charities’ food pantries, gift cards for groceries or monetary donations by Nov. 12 are best, but donations of canned goods such as cranberry sauce, corn and other side dishes – as well as turkeys – are also gratefully accepted.
To make a donation or for more information, please call Catholic Charities’ Parish Outreach and Advocacy Department at 716-218-1400, ext. 205.
Nearly 1,000 people turned to Catholic Charities’ pantries last year to ensure their families would share a Thanksgiving meal. Throughout the year, Catholic Charities serves about 1,900 people who reside in Lackawanna and three areas of Buffalo each month through its food pantries and the supplies are currently low.
Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive human service provider in Western New York, reaching all eight counties with 62 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services. For more information, go to www.ccwny.org.
Brian Kavanaugh and Erin Gaddi “battle it out” at the Broadway Battle Table Tennis Tournament in the Broadway Market.
Congratulations to all participants in the first, hopefully annual, ping pong tournament held at the famous Broadway Market. It was a very enjoyable time. See you next time.