A problem posed to me many years ago has remained with me. It reminds me that each challenge has its own set of expected and unexpected complexities.

“A rowboat needs to travel upstream a distance of thirteen miles. Its maximum speed is 3 mph, and the river flows at rate of 1 mph. What time will the boat need to leave the dock to arrive at its destination by 5 p.m.?”

While my teacher diligently explained the algebraic formula to arrive at the answer, I could actually see myself in that boat. Let’s see, it’s a beautiful day for the trip, nothing but the sound of birds in the early morning sunlight. Suddenly, a call for help from a pair of nearby kayakers attracts my attention. After half an hour they are on shore and in the care of medical personnel. And I’m back in the boat and headed upstream. A short time later, the sound of music draws me into a small café situated along a shady cove. After a light repast, I resume travel. Nearing the destination, a leg cramp incapacitates me and totally stops forward motion. Groan, shake it out, and resume travel.

Ultimately, I came to accept the formulas and pass the class, but I retained my belief that things are always more complicated than they may first seem and that variables are always at play.

What, you may be wondering, does this have to do with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation?

The CRCF recently partnered with the Food Bank of WNY to solve a problem: to fund the transportation costs associated with the annual transfer of approximately 1.4 million pounds of food to forty-five member agencies within a 1,100 square mile radius. Perishable food items are delivered by truck directly to Chautauqua County member agencies in order to offer nutritious food items in a timely and consistent manner. Costs include the driver’s salary, truck maintenance and repairs, fuel, phone, and distribution center/storage facility rent and utilities. The challenge was to find immediate funding for this essential service.

Fortunately, the CRCF was able to call on several donor-advised funds at the Foundation to help defray these costs. Advisors of the Jane Miller Fund, Edwin J. and Katherine M. Hegstedt Memorial Fund, and the Compass Fund came to the rescue with their immediate response and provided the necessary funding to sustain critical transportation services aimed at fighting hunger in Chautauqua County. The beneficiaries are the infants, children, adults and the elderly in our region.

A delivery truck and driver now travel to all participating agencies making timely deliveries. Prior to securing the truck, member agencies were each making the trip into Jamestown to pick up food items, many times with volunteers and borrowed trucks.

Ruth Kelly, coordinator of the Ripley Food Pantry, praised the new arrangement in her letter to Anne Julian of the Food Bank of WNY in Buffalo: “Please accept our true appreciation; we no longer need to haul 2,000 lbs. or more of food through Jamestown’s icy, snowy streets in winter weather in an open trailer….It has made such a difference to all the rural pantries.”

Kathy Schroeder of the Sinclairville Food Cupboard adds, “We want to let you know that we hope this service continues as it has been a tremendous difference and has made the process much easier for us!”

Donor-advised funds are an integral part of the charitable giving options available at the CRCF. They provide an immediate tax-deduction to the donor and provide flexibility in responding to emerging and immediate needs. Donors maintain the role of advisor and make recommendations for charitable distributions. Many times they have “saved the day,” and they continue to offer invaluable resources aimed at enriching the quality of life in the Chautauqua region.

Fighting hunger is an ongoing upstream challenge and one of many daily challenges facing the Chautauqua region. The CRCF welcomes new and experienced “rowers” to their donor base. You can chart your own course or join one already underway. Either way, an enthusiastic and grateful “welcome aboard” awaits your arrival. 

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation is a 501 (c)(3), tax-exempt organization that serves to benefit the Chautauqua region through grant and scholarship funding. It has been a trusted philanthropic partner since 1978 and seeks through its partnerships to build a better community for the future. For more information, call 716-661-3390.