>> WE HAD EVENTS JUST LINED UP.

THEN COVID HIT.

>> I THINK ONE THING THAT THE PANDEMIC DID WAS JUST BRING US TOGETHER.

>> WE WENT INTO ACTION.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED THROUGH MUSIC.

>> WE DIDN'T FORGET OUR ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR COMMUNITY DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT US.

>> MY NAME IS ASSAD ALMAJID.

>> MY NAME NAME IS TANNER EFINGER.

>> MY BUSINESS.

>> MY BUSINESS -- >> -- IS MAKING AN IMPACT.

>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEMBERS OF WCNY.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO WCNY'S IMPACT GIVEBACK PROGRAM.

I'M YOUR HOST ERIKA FROM THE PARK SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AT ITHACA COLLEGE.

TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE TO CHAMPION BUSINESSES ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK, THAT DEMONSTRATED RESILIENCE, WEATHERING THE STORM OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC STRUCK THE STATE HARD OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DECLINED 10% IN 2020.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE'S COMPTROLLER.

THAT WAS A 1.8 BILLION DOLLAR DROP COMPARED TO 2019, BIGGER THAN DURING THE GREAT RECESSION WHEN LOCAL SALES TAX FELL 6% STATEWIDE.

SIGNS NOW POINT TO A STRONG RECOVERY, ACCORDING TO COMPTROLLER THOMAS DINAPOLI, SALES TAX REVENUE ROSE 49.2% IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2021, COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.

TONIGHT, WCNY FEATURES A WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE MAKING IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITYS THEY SERVE.

UP FIRST WE TAKE A TRIP TO HAMILTON NEW YORK WHERE YOU'LL SEE FIRST HAPPENED A BUSINESS NOT ONLY SERVING UP DELICIOUS DISHES BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT THEIR COMMUNITY THRIVES.

>> HI, I'M BRITAIN ENTRY O'CONNOR.

>> AND I'M BRENDAN.

>> AND WE'RE THE OWNERS OF FLOUR AND SALT.

>> WHILE BRITTY WAS MAKING BAGELS AT THE FARMERS MARKET WHILE I WAS HELP TO RUN A LOCAL FARM.

AND BAGELS WERE SORT OF A SUMMER GIG FOR HER BECAUSE SHE WAS TEACHING AT THE TIME.

AND THEY WERE SELLING OUT.

REALLY FREQUENCY.

WE COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

WE DECIDED TO LOOK AROUND TOWN TOP FIND A SPOT TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN IDEA FOR A BRICK AND MORTAR SPACE.

AND WE WERE ACTUALLY PROPOSITIONED BY OUR CURRENT LANDLORD TO SEE IF WE WANTED TO TAKE A RISK ON THE SPACE THAT THEY WERE BUILDING.

AND WE DECIDED TO GO FOR IT.

>> FLOUR AND SALT BAKE I HAVE A BAKERY AND CAFE IN HAMILTON, NEW YORK.

WE SELL BAGELS AND PASTRYS, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SANDWICH, A FULL ESPRESSO BAR AND A COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE IN TOWN.

THAT WAS THE HOPE WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE SHOP WAS IT WITHOUT BE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO MEET AND EAT AND BE TOGETHER.

>> >> THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED FLOUR AND SALT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

THE JOB AT FLOUR AND SALT FOR OUR FRONT AND BACK STAFF, BECAUSE OUR KITCHEN IS CUSTOMER FACING, EVERYONE IS INVOLVED IN THE EXPERIENCE.

AND THAT WENT AWAY COMPLETELY.

WE WERE ONLY LETTING PEOPLE ORDER ONLINE.

>> WE HAD TO CHANGE OUR BUSINESS MODEL IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WERE STILL ABLE TO GET FOOD.

BUT THEY FELT SAFE AND TAKEN CARE OF AT THE SAME TIME.

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF GREAT THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF IT TOO.

♪ >> WE DEVELOPED AN ITEM CALLED DONATE A DOZEN THAT I HAD SNAGGED OFF OF SOMEBODY FROM INSTAGRAM AT ANOTHER BAGEL SHOP IN PHILLY WHERE A PERSON COULD PURCHASE A DOZEN BAGELS AND CHOOSE TO HAVE IT DONATED TO ANOTHER BUSINESS OR MOSTLY ESSENTIAL WORKERS SO A LOT OF BAGELS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY WORKERS, THEY WERE GOING TO PEOPLE.

AND IN TERMS OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, WE SPENT BASICALLY ALMOST ALL OF THE SPRING AND SUMMER SHIPPING BAGELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE CARE A LOT ABOUT HAMILTON.

WE LOVE IT HERE.

WE WENT TO SCHOOL AT COLGATE AND MOVED AWAY FOR A FEW YEARS AND REALIZED THAT THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE.

>> WHEN WE CAME BACK, THE INTENTION WASN'T NECESSARILY TO OPEN A BUSINESS BUT IT WE WANT THAT WAY AND NOW THAT WE'RE A PART OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WE DO BETTER IF EVERYONE IS DOING BETTER.

>> FOR A TOWN LIKE HAMILTON TO THRIVE, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE EMPTY STORE FRONTS.

MARTHA ON MADISON, ONE HALF IS A SPECIALLY GROCERY WITH EMPHASIS ON CHEESES AND MEATS.

THIS SIDE THAT WE'RE IN NOW IS A FULL SERVICE BAR.

>> I THINK THAT, THE PANDEMIC INSPIRED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO STAY LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL.

TO SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME WITH PEOPLE WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

I HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE AND ALL OVER THE PLACE KEEP THAT SPIRIT, THAT THEY KEEP SHOWING UP FOR THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES AND FOR THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

THAT MEANINGFUL EXCHANGE STILL FEELS MEANINGFUL AND WE DON'T TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.

>> I'M CAERESA, THE FOUNDER AND C.E.O.

OF ECODESSA.

WE CARRY WOMEN'S CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS AROUND THE WORLD WHICH I HAVE FUN CURE RATING AND BRINGING TO EACH OF OUR WOMEN.

PRIOR TO OPENING ECODESSA, I AM ACTUALLY A DEGREEDER.

>> I HAD A FULL-TIME CAREER.

I STARTED GETTING INTO AND PASSIONATE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND I NOTICED THAT OTHER WOMEN WERE INTERESTED IN THAT AS WELL.

I OPENED ON AUGUST 31, 20, LAST YEAR.

OPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS VERY TOUGH.

SO PRIOR TO OPENING, I WAS A POP-UP SHOP AND I WOULD POP UP IN OTHER VENUES.

AND WE WERE ALL QUARANTINED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO POP UP ANY MORE, I STARTED DOING THINGS VIRTUALLY.

AS MY BRAND GREW, OR LINE IN MY E-COMMERCE GREW ONLINE, I RECOGNIZED IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET A BRICK AND MORTAR SPACE TO CONTINUE BUILDING THAT COMMUNITY.

I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT I HAVE FACED OPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC, WAS ACTUALLY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PLACE.

SO WE REALLY HAD TO BUILD THIS FROM THE GROUND UP.

DURING THEN, WE OPENED WITH LIMITED CAPACITY.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE THAT I FACED OPENING DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT I WAS DOWN HERE.

SO PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN QUARANTINE IN THEIR HOMES AND REALLY WERE NOT ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND LIKE WALK THE STREETS AND SEE NEW BUSINESSES THAT WERE OPENING.

IT CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE.

LIKE, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS VERY BUILDING THAT DON'T KNOW THAT I'M RIGHT DOWNSTAIRS.

[ LAUGHTER ] ♪ >> I LOOK TO THE FUTURE WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

>> I THINK THAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING TO BUILD THAT COMMUNITY.

I THINK ONE THING THAT THE PANDEMIC DID, WAS JUST BRING US TOGETHER, RIGHT.

AND REALLY HELP TO REMIND US OF OUR HUMANITY, RIGHT.

AND JUST HOW FINITE THINGS ARE.

SEEING BUSINESSES THAT WERE IN BUSINESS FOR LONG, LONG PERIODS OF TIME, DECADES OF TIME, PHYSICALLY CLOSE AND NEVER COME BACK I THINK WAS JUST DAMAGING FOR MANY PEOPLE TO SEE.

SO, NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT, RIGHT.

SO, OUR COMMUNITY REALLY BANDED TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MINE NOT JUST ARRIVED BUT THRIVED.

SO I HAVE A VERY LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE THAT I AM SO TANKFUL FOR.

THEY ATTEND ALL OF MY SHOPS AND WATCH ALONG AND NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY REALLY ARE FUN, BUT ALSO BECAUSE I THINK THAT PIECE OF -- THEY REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES SURVIVE AND THRIVE.

MENT .>> MY NAME IS JULIE, I'M THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE CAPITOL ARTS COMPLEX HERE IN ROME.

I WOULD NOT REFER TO US AS MULTI-ART AND MULTIMEDIA.

SO WE DO LIVE SHOWS.

WE DO CONCERTS, MUSICAL THEATRE.

SOMETIMES WE DO PLAYS.

LEGITIMATE THEATRE.

BUT WE ALSO DO A LOT OF FILM, BOTH HERE IN THE HISTORIC THEATRE AND NEXT DOOR AT THE CINEMA CAPITOL WHICH IS A TWO SCREEN INDY CINEMA.

♪ >> TALK A BIT ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND HOW YOU GUYS WERE AFFECTED DURING THAT.

>> IN THE WARMER MONTHS, WE DID A LOT OF OUTDOOR MOVIES.

IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO KIND OF KICK THINGS OFF AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AND FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, BUT I COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO KIND OF SAY, HEY, WE'RE HERE, WE'RE DOING THINGS, WE'RE STILL A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AND IT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE THEREIS ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

BUT DID IT ALLOW US TO DO A LOT OF OUR RESTORATION WORK BECAUSE OTHER PROJECTS WERE CANCELED OR POSTPONED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO PEOPLE, COMPANIES WERE KIND OF ABLE TO FOCUS ON PROJECTS AND GET IN HERE AND DO THE WORK.

I'M JUST OVERWHELMED BY THE INTEREST THAT WE HAVE HAD IN PEOPLE WANTING TO ORGANIZE SHOWS, FOR THIS COMING FALL AND WINTER, AND THE SCHEDULE IS JAM PACKED SO WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A LOT OF STUFF SO PLEASE, COME AND SUPPORT THE CAPITOL, AND HELP US TO MAKE USE OF THIS BEAUTIFULLY-RESTORED THEATRE.

♪ >> OBVIOUSLY, THE PROGRAMS THAT WE PUT ON, OUR SHOW, ARE FANTASTIC AND THEY DRAW PEOPLE INTO THE CITY.

IT IS CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC BOOST.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE A QUICKLY GROWING ARTS DISTRICT HERE IN ROME, AND I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES THAT ROME HAS REALLY FOUND ITS IDENTITY AS AN ARTS-ORIENTED CITY.

AND THE CAPITOL IS KIND OF AT THE CENTER OF THAT.

>> MY NAME IS DAN AND I'M THE DIRECTOR AT LIGHT WORK HERE IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

LIGHT WORK IS A NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATED WITH SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY MAKER SPACE FOR SO IFING TOFY.

AN -- FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARTS IN RESIDENCE.

ANYONE CAN BECOME A MEMBER IF YOU'RE PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OR NOT.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP IS $150 PER YEAR AND YOU GET FULL ACCESS TO LIGHT WORK DURING OUR BUSINESS HOURS.

ONCE THE PANDEMIC HIT HERE, WE HAD TO COMPLETELY CLOSE.

WE WERE SORT OF UNDER THE MANDATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND IN TERMS OF WHAT TO DO FOR COVID.

WHAT THIS REALLY DID WAS, IT SHUDDERED US TO OUR MEMBER WHICH IS WE HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO MEMBERS ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK IN JULY IN TERMS OF IMPACT, WE REALLY JUST HAVE NOT BEEN A SPACE PEOPLE ACCESS OR USE ON A DIY BASIS.

BUT WE DID HAVE TO GET REALLY CREATIVE IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ENDS MEET DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT?

DID YOU DO A LOT OF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO MAKE ENDS MEET?

>> WE DID GET SOME SUPPORT FROM DOING SOME GRANT WRITING AND FUND RAISING.

WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO SORT OF TAKE THE SKILLS THAT WE HAD AND DO ONE VERY LARGE PROJECT.

WHERE THE GIFT OF THE FUNDRAISER WAS A PRINT BY A PHOTOGRAPHER.

SO WE MADE THOUSANDS OF THESE PRINTS AND MAILED THEM OUT ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

SOMETHING THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO DURING THE NORMAL OPERATION.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU DID VIRTUAL EVENTS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE.

>> SO ONE SORT OF SILVER LINING FROM THE PANDEMIC IS THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY OF ARTIST, COME THROUGH LIGHT WORK, AND WE SET UP SOME EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ZOOMED IN THE STUDIO SPACE AND HAD REREMOTE WELCOME YOU ARE THERES AND FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY OR AROUND THE COUNTRY COULD JOIN IN ON ZOOM.

SO WE JUST SORT OF PLAYED HOST BETWEEN AN ARTIST AND THEIR PRACTICE, AND THE COMMUNITY INTERESTED IN IT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR IN THE FUTURE OF LIGHT WORKS?

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO HAVE THE MEMBERS BACK.

THEY BRING SO MUCH CREATIVE ENERGY TO LIGHT WORK THAT IT REALLY INSPIRES US DAY-TO-DAY.

HAVE THE ARTIST, THESE WORLD FAMOUS ARTISTS COMING IN AND MAKING PRINTS RIGHT NEXT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN PHOTOGRAPHY OR IS SOMEWHERE ALONG THAT SPECTRUM.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING.

ANYBODY WHO IS OUT THERE AND IS INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY OR WANTS TO LEARN MORE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

>> NAME IS PAM MURCHISON AND I'M INCREDIBLY SERVE AS SYMPHORIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

SYMPHORIA IS THE PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

OUR MISSION IS TO ENGAGE AND INSPIRE ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL NEW YORK, THROUGH OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRAL AND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES.

WE PLAY CONCERTS AND WE DO SO, SO MUCH MORE.

WE'VE GOT 50 PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS WHO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY ALONGSIDE THE COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WE ALSO HAVE A HOST OF OTHER PROGRAMS, AND WE HAVE SMALL ENSEMBLES THAT GO OUT INTO DIFFERENT AREAS.

NOT JUST IN ONONDAGA COUNTY AND SYRACUSE, BUT IN ALL OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

SO EVERYONE REALLY HAS THE CAUSE OF MUSIC, A STRONG BELIEF IN WHAT MUSIC CAN DO TO LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AT SIM FOR I CAN'T.

>> WHEN THE SYRACUSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PAUSED THE OPERATIONS, MUSICIANS CAME OUT OF THE SSO AND FORMED SYMPHORIA.

THE ORCHESTRA NEVER STOPPED PLAYING SO FOR MANY, MANY DECADES, THERE HAS BEEN EXCELLENT SYMPHONIC MUSIC IN CENTRAL NEW YORK AND SYMPHORIA WILL CELEBRATE THE NINTH SEASON DURING THE 21-22 SEASON.

>> MUSIC NEVER STOPS.

>> NO, NEVER STOPS.

>> THIS IS GREAT.

AND KIND OF SHIFTING GEAR AS BIT, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND THE IMPACT THAT HAD ON SYMPHORIA.

>> SYMPHORIA HAS AN UNUSUAL BUSINESS MODEL.

IT IS ONE OF ONLY TWO MUSICIAN-LED COOPERATIVES IN THE NATION, CAN WHICH REALLY POISED US TO MOVE VERY QUICKLY ONCE THE SHUTDOWN HAPPENED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

SO IMMEDIATELY, THE MUSICIANS WENT TO ACTION, RECORDING PERFORMANCES AND INTERVIEWS FROM THEIR HOME.

WE CONVERTED THAT TO THE ONLINE STREAMING SUBSCRIPTION AND WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED THROUGH MUSIC.

THE BOARD AND STAFF AND MUSICIANS WORKED VERY HARD TO APPLY FOR ALL OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT WERE THE AVAILABLE.

WE'RE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WHILE IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY TURBULENT TIME, SYMPHORIA HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS OPERATIONS.

AND REALLY, A TIME WHEN A LOT OF MUSIC WAS ON PAUSE, IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, SYMPHORIA WAS ABLE TO REACH OUT BEYOND CENTRAL NEW YORK TO REALLY HELP PEOPLE FEEL CONNECTED AND FEEL UPLIFTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, DONATIONS ACTUALLY SLIGHTLY EXCEEDED OUR BUDGETARY GOALS.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY INDEBTED TOWER COMMUNITY.

THEY REALLY HAVE HELPED US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE OF PHILANTHROPY WHERE PEOPLE MAKE GIFTS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO FULFILL THEIR VISION THAT MUSIC MAKES THE COMMUNITY BETTER AND MAKES LIFE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK BETTER.

THAT MUSIC CONNECTS PEOPLE.

THEY ARE ABLE TO FULFILL THAT VISION THROUGH US.

AND WE'RE SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> WE ARE MOST EXCITED TO HAVE PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE.

AND JUST TO KEEP MAKING MUSIC AND USING IT AS THE WAY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY EVEN STRONGER.

>> AT WATERLOO CHIROPRACTIC, WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR NINE AND A HALF YEARS.

I STARTED IT RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL SO THIS IS DEFINITELY A LABOR OF LOVE.

WE PROVIDE CARE FOR PATIENTS IN THE AREA.

AS A CHIROPRACTOR, MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE'S JOINTS ARE MOVING CORRECTLY.

WHEN COVID-19 HIT THIS AREA, I BELIEVE THAT, SECOND OR THIRD WEEK IN MARCH IS WHEN THINGS GOT VERY DIFFICULT.

WE STARTED TO SEE IS PATIENTS WERE AFRAID AS I WAS, SO WE HAD PEOPLE CALLING IN AND CANCELING WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD 100%.

WE MAKE OUR MONEY ONE PATIENT AT A TIME, AND WHEN THERE ARE LESS PATIENTS, IT AFFECTED OUR BOTTOM LINE.

AT THE END OF MARCH WE DID CLOSE FOR A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE THERE WERE SO FEW PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO COME IN AND I WAS ACTUALLY QUITE NERVOUS, COMING IN TO TREAT ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE AND BRINGING GERMS HOME POTENTIALLY BUT THOSE WERE THE THINGS THAT WE WERE THINKING ABOUT, HOW TO BRING THE OVERHEAD DOWN SO WE COULD STAY OPEN.

I HAD A GOAL OF BRINGING IN ANOTHER CHIROPRACTOR TO WORK WITH ME.

THE TIME THAT I HAD PLANNED WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND I MOVED FOR WARD WITH THAT GOAL.

THERE ARE A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT I WAS NOT TREATING AND THESE WERE CHILDREN.

>> THANKFULLY Dr. CATALANO AND I WORK VERY WELL TOGETHER AND HE INTRODUCED ME A LOT TO THE WATERLOO COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE IN THE AREA THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER MET OTHERWISE.

>> WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE AREA, AND NOW WE'RE SERVING EVEN A LARGER GROUP OF PANTS.

-- LARGER GROUP OF PATIENTS.

>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC SHIFTED THE FOUNDATION OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE UNIVERSITY UNITED MYTH -- METHODIST CHURCH.

SEE FIRSTHAND HOW THIS CHURCH BECAME A GUIDING FORCE IN THE SYRACUSE COMMUNITY.

>> >> HI, I'M PASTOR ALICIA WOOD AND I'M THE PASTOR HERE AT UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

I PRESIDE OVER WORSHIP AND LEAD BIBLE AND STUDIES AND THE OUTREACH MINISTRY.

I MEET WITH PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND IN HOSPITALS.

LOTS OF STUFF.

ALWAYS BUSY GENTLEMAN OUR VISION STATEMENT IS, FEEDING GOD'S PEOPLE, BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT AND WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE GOD'S PEOPLE.

WE.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE PANDEMIC ON THE CHURCH.

>> YES, SO I WOULD SAY THAT THERE WERE TWO MAJOR CHANGES: ONE WAS, OUR FOOD MINISTRY.

BEFORE OUR GUESTS WOULD COME IN AND THEY WOULD ACCESS THE FOOD PANTRY.

AND SUNDAY MORNING, WE HAD A BREAKFAST, THEY WOULD COME IN AND SIT AT TABLE, ET CETERA.

SO WE TOOK BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS OUTSIDE, BOTH MINISTRIES OUTSIDE.

PRE-COVID, WE FED ABOUT 50 FAMILIES PER WEEK.

AT OUR FOOD CENTER AT 324.

AND NOW WE'RE AVERAGING ABOUT 200 FAMILY AS WEEK.

IN THE HEART AND HARDEST PART OF COVID, WE WERE FEEDING OVER 300 FAMILIES PER WEEK.

WE NOW DO IT IN A DRIVE-THROUGH MANNER SO EVERYONE DRIVES UP AND WE PUT FOOD RIGHT IN THEIR TRUNK.

AND WE HAVE A WALKUP SECTION AS WELL.

>> I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR A LONG TIME, YEAH.

IT HAS TO BE ABOUT A GOOD TEN YEARS NOW.

IT KIND OF HELPED ME TO GET A LOT OF THINGS THAT I COULDN'T GET.

I COULDN'T GET ANY FOOD STAMPS AT THE TIME.

AND WHEN I DID GET IT, IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO MEET MY NEEDS AS FAR AS FOOD.

SO THIS HELPED OUT A WHOLE LOT.

>> SPIRITUALLY, MENTALLY, YOU KNOW, EVEN JUST COMING HERE, JUST HELPS.

THE STAFF HERE IS GREAT.

EVERYBODY IS FRIENDLY.

CAN'T BEAT THAT.

>> WE ALSO HAD A BIG CHANGE IN OUR WORSHIP.

WE WENT FROM BEING IN PERSON, TO DOING OUR WORSHIP EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE FOR US.

I STILL FIND IT EXCITING THAT THROUGH COVID, OUR ONLINE WORSHIP, A LOT OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY FOUND US.

AND NOW ARE COMING IN TO WORSHIP AND ALSO VOLUNTEERING IN ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT MINISTRY AND ARE A PART OF OUR FAITH COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY FOUND US ONLINE DURING COVID.

COVID WAS A RESET FOR PEOPLE.

WONDERING WHAT AM I DOING HERE?

YOU KNOW, WHAT'S MY PURPOSE?

WHAT DO I REALLY NEED BE DOING WITH MY LIFE?

AND THIS IS ONE WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE SEEM TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THAT.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE.

AND SO, THIS INCLUDES LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE RAINBOW FLAGS OUTSIDE, A BLACK LIVES MATTER BANNER OUTSIDE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL AND ANOTHER IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES WELCOME.

SO WE HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE NEW AMERICANS AND ARE A PART OF OUR FAITH COMMUNITY.

AND WE BELIEVE THIS DIVERSITY IS WHAT GOD WANTS AND WHAT IS OUR CALL.

>> MY NAME IS DOUG LEVINE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE THEATRE OF ITHACA.

THIS IS A SPECIAL BUILDING.

WE ARE THE PREMIERE LIVE VENUE IN DOWNTOWN ITHACA.

BUT WE GENERALLY DO 85 TO 100 LIVE SHOWS A YEAR WE TRY TO BE A THEATRE FOR EVERYONE.

WE'LL HAVE HIP-HOP AND FAMILY SHOW, CLASSIC MOVIES AND FILMS.

WE DO COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING.

EVEN THE ITHACA BALLET DOES THREE SHOWS A YEAR SO WE HAVE A MISSION TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND INCORPORATE THE COMMUNITY INTO THE THEY STRESS AS WELL.

BEING IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN KATE AND ATTRACTING SO MANY PEOPLE, WE'RE LIKE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE ITHACA ARTS SCENE.

DURING THE PAST 16, 17 MONTHS BEING IT SHALL DOWN, THE IMPACT ON THE REST OF THE ITHACA COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL.

WHEN I SAY THAT WE ATTRACT 60,000 PEOPLE TO OUR THEATRE, YES, THEY ARE COMING AND BUYING TICKETS TO SHOWS AT THE STATE THEATRE BUT ALSO, DINING, BEFOREHAND, GETTING DRINKS AND STAYING IN A HOTEL SO WE'RE REALLY PSYCHED TO GET ROLLING AGAIN AND SHOWS GOING AND HAVING A MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT IN ALL OF TOMPKINS COUNTY AS WELL.

I THINK THIS FIRST WEEK OR SO, ME AND MY STAFF WERE KIND OF IN A DAZE LIKE, MY GOD WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

WE'RE LIKE OUT OF BUSINESS.

WITHIN TWO WEEK OF SHUTTING DOWN WE HAD THE FIRST LIVE STREAM CONCERT AND IT BLEW OUR MINDS HOW MUCH THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED US.

IT WAS VERY CLEAR THEY WANT TO HAVE THE STATE THEATRE HERE.

AND THE MASSIVE ACHIEVEMENT WAS THE SENIOR SEED CAMPAIGN.

AND FOR $100, YOU CAN SAVE YOUR SEAT, YOU GET A PERSONALIZED PLAQUE ON THE SEATS.

AMAZINGLY IN UNDER 8 WEEKS, WE SOLD OUT ALL 1600 SEATS.

AND THAT WAS SUBSTANTIAL IN GETTING US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE CAN STILL BE OPEN WHEN THE PANDEMIC ENDS.

IT WAS CHALLENGING, BUT, THERE IS A SILVER LINING IN THAT YES WE DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF SHOW INCOME BUT WE DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF EXPENSES EITHER.

AMAZINGLY, OUR LAST LIVE STREAM CONCERT ON MAY 8, WE WERE THE SIXTH MOST WATCHED LIVE STREAM IN THE WORLD THAT WEEK.

IT IS COOL THAT WE GOT ON THE MAP AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WERE WATCHING A SHOW FROM THE STATE THEATRE OF ITHACA.

VERY COOL.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO JUST SEEING SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HERE THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN IN TWO YEARS.

AND JUST SEEING THEM ENJOYING LIVE MUSIC AND A SHOW.

AND JUST BEING OUT IN THE WORLD AGAIN.

COMING TO THE SHOW AT THE STATE THEATRE AND SUDDENLY, 1600 PEOPLE ARE HERE AND SHARING THE EXPERIENCE AND THEY ALL WALK OUT TOGETHER AND RAVE ABOUT THE SHOW.

I REMEMBER SEEING ELVIS COSTELLO HERE, YOU WERE THERE, IT WAS GREAT.

AND BEING INSIDE OF A 90-PLUS-YEAR-OLD THEATRE, IT IS SO DIFFERENT THAN SITTING AT YOUR HOUSE AND WATCHING ON A SCREEN.

♪ ♪ >> MY NAME IS SAM ROUSER.

ON POINT IS MORE THAN AN ORGANIZATION.

IT IS MORE LIKE A FAMILY THAT CARES ABOUT YOU AND COMES IN AND MEETS YOU WHERE YOU'RE AT AND HELPS YOU WITH YOUR NEEDS.

IT IS A THREE-WAY PROGRAM.

WE'RE ACCESS, SUCCESS, AND CAREER SERVICES.

ACCESS IS HELPING STUDENTS TO GET INTO COLLEGE.

DOING THE APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION, APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL AID, SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE SUCCESS PORTION IS GOING TO COLLEGE WITH THE STUDENT.

SO YOU DON'T SEND THEM OFF AND SAY GOOD LUCK, YOU GO WITH THEM AND SAY WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WHILE YOU'RE HERE.

AND THE THIRD IS CAREER SERVICE, MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES GET A CHANCE TO MEET SOME EMPLOYERS THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AND JOB FAIRS, AND TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A CHANCE.

GENERALLY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 300 AND 500 NEW STUDENT GOES OFF TO COLLEGE EACH YEAR BETWEEN THE OFFICE IN SYRACUSE AND UTICA AND ANYWHERE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 2700 STUDENTS IN COLLEGE.

AND THEN ABOUT 500 STUDENTS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THROUGH OUR CAREER SERVICES.

THE THING THAT MAKES ON POINT GOOD WHAT WE DO IS THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.

COVID MADE THAT A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING.

WE CLOSED IN MARCH, OF COURSE, WHEN EVERYBODY CLOSED AND WE STAYED COMPLETELY CLOSED IN DOING EVERYTHING VIRTUALLY TO PROBABLY AROUND, END OF MAY OR BEGINNING OF JUNE.

BUT WE STILL NEED TO HELP STUDENTS GO TO COLLEGE.

WE HAD TO GO BACK TO FUNDERS AND SAY OUR STUDENTS ARE DOING VIRTUAL, THEY DON'T HAVE LAPTOPS OR INTERNET CONNECTION.

WE'LL NEED FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THESE THINGS.

AND AGAIN,FUNDERS STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND HELPED US OUT TREMENDOUSLY WITH THAT.

>> I'M EMILY VIOLA.

I HAVE NOT HAVE THE EASIEST HOME LIFE SO COLLEGE WAS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT I THOUGHT THAT MY FUTURE WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

THEY HELP ME TO APPLY TO SCHOOL.

THE SPRING OF 2018.

I ENDED UP FORCING MY NIECE.

I WAS -- FOSTERING MY NIECE.

I WAS 21, SHE WAS SIX DAYS OLD AND I SAY WE'LL DO THIS.

ON POINT HELPED ME.

IT DID NOT JUST OPEN MY EYES THAT THERE SO MUCH OUT THERE.

IF I KEEP ON WORKING HARD, CAN I ACHIEVE MORE THAN THAT.

AND ON POINT DEFINITELY GAVE ME THE MOTIVATION, AND GAVE ME JUST THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THAT.

>> IF YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY ENJOY DOING, YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORK ANOTHER DAY IN YOUR LIFE, THAT'S WHAT ON POINT HAS BEEN FOR ME.

THAT KIND OF AN ORGANIZATION WHERE I STARTED DOING THIS AND SAID, WOW, AND THEY ARE GOING TO PAY ME?

THIS IS GREAT.

>> ♪ >> HI, I'M JENNIFER, AND I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER HERE IN DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE.

I SPECIALIZE MOSTLY IN HELPING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES LOOK BETTER THAN THEY EVER THOUGHT THEY COULD.

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN ON THIS BLOCK FOR FOUR GENERATIONS.

THEY ARE RESTAURANT FAMILY SO THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE AND I KIND OF GREW UP ON THE NORTH SIDE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING.

EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT LIVE HERE GROWING UP, WE REALLY HAD A CONNECTION TO THE NORTH SIDE AND TO LITTLE ITALY.

AND WHEN I CAM BACK, I REALLY THOUGHT AREN'T WHERE I WANTED TO PUT THE BUSINESS.

A REAL CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND I REALLY FEEL THAT IT IS BUSINESSES THAT REALLY INVEST IN THE AREA THAT ARE KEEPING IT TOGETHER.

AND HOPEFULLY ELEVATING THE AREA AND PREVENTING IT FROM DECLINE.

>> TALK A BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT THE PANDEMIC HAD ON YOUR BUSINESS.

>> SO I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PPP LOANS OR ANYTHING.

I LOOKED IMMEDIATELY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CANCELED APPOINTMENTS AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE WAS A MASK MANDATE THAT SAID THAT YOU HAD TO WEAR A MASK WHILE YOU'RE INDOORS.

REALLY TOUGH TO PHOTOGRAPH SOMEBODY INDOORS IN A MASK.

NOT MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WEAR A MASK WHILE THEY ARE DOING THEIR SESSION.

WE WERE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, MORE THAN ONCE.

KIND OF TOOK THE TIME TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THINKING ABOUT HOW I COULD MOVE FORWARD AS A BUSINESS AND HOW I COULD HELP MY CLIENTS MOVE FORWARD AS BUSINESS PEOPLE AS WELL.

AND I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO COLLABORATE TOGETHER.

SO WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING A LOT ABOUT ON OUTDOOR SESSIONS, BUSINESSES, AND, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO JUST KIND OF BRANCH OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> WHAT'S THAT LIKE FOR YOU NOW?

THINGS ARE NOT TOTALLY NORMAL, BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU IS NOW.

>> IT IS GREAT.

IT IS GREAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] WE'RE STILL NOT BACK COMPLETE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

HOWEVER, WE ARE STARTING TO GET LOTS OF THINGS ON THE BOOKS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND IT FEELS GREAT.

IT FEELS GREAT TO BE INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE AGAIN, AND TO REALLY BE WORKING WITH THEM ON THEIR GOALS AND HOW WE REQUEST HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

HOW WE CAN HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

>> I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT -- I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE IN SYRACUSE SEEM TO BE DOING EXCITING THINGS.

THEY ARE INVESTING IN DOWNTOWN, MOVING INTO THE CITY.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IT FEELS GREAT.

>> HI, MY NAME IS ASSAD ALMAJID.

I STARTED THE BUSINESS MORE THAN TWO YEARS NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

2019, MAY, I OPENED TO THE PUBLIC, AND AFTER LIKE SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS, THE PANDEMIC.

SO COVID-19 CAME, AND EMPLOYEES START TO RESIGNING AND FROM THE RESTAURANT INCLUDING MY RESTAURANT.

SO IN 2020, MARCH OF 2020, I'M ALONE.

AND I TRAVELED TO JORDAN.

SO I TRAVELED TO JORDAN AND STAYED THERE LIKE THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

ARE YOU HADDING TO.

>> THEY SAID ARE YOU HADDING TO GO TO THE UNITED STATES?

I SAID ABSOLUTELY, WHO WOULDN'T.

I MEAN, WE WERE JUST KEEPING AT HOME, NOT GOING OUTSIDE.

WE STARTED TO UNDERSTAND AND LIKE THE PEOPLE AND WE STARTED TO LOVE THE SYRACUSE COMMUNITY.

IT IS WONDERFUL.

IT IS REALLY THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE I HAVE LIVED IN.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, IF I WAITED A COUPLE OF DAYS, I WOULD HAVE TO THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE, YOU KNOW.

WHY SHOULD I DO THAT?

WHY SHOULDN'T I MAKE SOME BENEFIT WITH THAT.

AT LEAST GIVE TO THE NEEDY PEOPLE, THE HUNGRY PEOPLE.

>> I WATCHED CHANNEL 9 AND THEY TALKED ABOUT A MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT THAT WAS SERVING MEALS TO HUNGRY PEOPLE, JUST HUNGRY FAMILIES.

I THOUGHT, I WOULD TRY TO HELP THIS GUY NOT GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO I WAS AND I BROUGHT A CHECK DOWN TO HIM.

>> I COULDN'T DO IT MYSELF ALONE.

WITHOUT MY FAMILY SUPPORT.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

I LOVE THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE, THEY ARE HERE.

THEY GIVE THE LOVE.

>> JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE WCNY STUDIO, YOU'LL FIND WUNDERBAR, A BAR AND THEATRE THAT OPEN UP A YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SEE HOW THIS BAR IS BRINGING SUPPORT AND POSITIVITY TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY THEY SERVE.

>> HI, MY NAME IS TANNER EFINGER, I'M THE OWNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WUNDERBAR.

WUNDERBAR IS A QUEER BAR AND THEATRE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE.

WE'RE A NEW BUSINESS.

WE WERE OPEN FOR ONE YEAR AND ONE DAY BEFORE COVID CLOSED US DOWN.

WE EXIST TO SUPPORT THE VISIBILITY AND POSITIVITY OF LGBTQ PEOPLE.

AND ALSO, TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LOCAL ARTISTS.

>> YOU'RE OUT HERE TRYING TO SPREAD THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND THE PANDEMIC HAPPEN US AND HAVE TO CLOSE YOUR DOORS TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON YOUR BUSINESS.

>> AS MANY PEOPLE DID, WE WERE REREQUIRE TO SHUT DOWN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, REOPEN AND THEN CLOSED.

AND EVERY TIME WE DID THAT WE HAD TO COMPLETELY HIRE, REHIRE, RETRAIN, GETS EVERYONE SORT OF LIKE UP AND RUNNING ONLY TO CLOSE THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER AND LET EVERYONE GO.

IT WAS DEVASTATING.

LUCKILY, WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF GRANTS AND PEOPLE TO DONATE TO THIS SPACE SO THAT WE'RE THANKFUL TO STILL BE HERE AND TO BE ON OUR FEET.

BUT, WE HAVE TO REBUILD.

COMPLETELY FROM SCRATCH.

REBUILD ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND SLOWLY TRY TO GET BACK TO WHAT FEELS LIKE BASELINE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG SUNDAYS OF EVERY MONTH.

THEY BRING IN PER FORMERS AND DRAG QUEENS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

VERY PROMINENT NAMES AND GREAT PERFORMERS.

>> I THINK WHEN PEOPLE WALK INTO WUNDERBAR AND WHEN THEY EITHER SEE A SHOW OR THEY HAVE A DRINK OR THEY SING BY THE PIANO OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY DO, I WANT THEM TO FEEL 100% LIKE THEMSELVES AND BEING LOVED FOR WHO THEY ARE.

>> I'VE BEEN COME HERE SINCE DAY ONE.

AND THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HOME FOR ME.

WHETHER I WANT TO COME HERE AND HAVE DRINKS WITH FRIENDS OR COME TO CREATE, OR AT THE END OF THE DAY, JUST COME TO EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE IN SYRACUSE, ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

>> IT IS AREN'T REINCORPORATING HOPE INTO WHAT WE CAN BE.

BUT -- IT IS ABOUT REINCORPORATING HOPE.

I FELT THAT SYRACUSE IS A PLACE WITH INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL AND THAT I THINK THAT WUNDERBAR IS JUST A PART OF WHAT THAT POTENTIAL REALLY CAN BE.

SO I THINK THAT, THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE FUTURE IS BEING ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON ALL OF THE POTENTIAL THAT IS ALREADY HERE.

>> MY NAME IS DINE KUPPERMAN, I'M THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF MAKE-A-WISH, CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THE BEST JOB.

IT IS PART OF A NATIONAL NETWORK OF INDEPENDENT 501-C-3 CHAPTERS.

59 ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE 15 DOWNITY COUNTIES OF UPSTATE NEW YORK.

NEARLY 2,000 HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN THROUGHOUT UPSTATE NEW YORK.

OUR MISSION IS VERY SIMPLE: OUR PURPOSE IS TO CREATE LIFE CHANGING WISHES FOR KIDS LIVING WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES.

LAST YEAR, THE PANDEMIC HIT AND TRAVEL WAS NOT AN OPTION.

HOW DID YOU HAVE TO SHIFT YOUR OPERATION DURING THAT TIME.

>> WE HAD ABOUT 35 TRAVEL WISHES IN PROCESS THAT CEASED IMMEDIATELY.

SO THOSE KIDS WERE ALLOWED TO WAIT IF THEY DOMESTIC TRAVEL.

WE PUT THEIR WISHES ON HOLD TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN.

BUT WE WERE ABLE TO PIVOT.

NONE OF THE KIDS COULD REIMAGINE THEIR WISHES.

THEY KNEW WE COULD CONTINUE GRANTING WISHES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

THOSE WERE WISHES THAT WE COULD DO SAFELY AND LOCALLY.

AND THAT WE COULD MAKE HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

JUST THIS PAST YEAR AS WE WERE EMERGING BACK AND EVERYBODY WAS GETTING BACK TO ROUTINES, WE WERE ABLE TO CHANGE A LOT OF THE FUNDRAISERS THAT WE DID AND AGAIN, THE TEAM WAS VERY CREATIVE.

WHAT WE COULDN'T DO IN PERSON BERKE WE DID ONLINE.

AND WHILE WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO REACHING OUR GOALS, THAT WAS ENOUGH TO FUND THE 50 WISHES THAT WE HAD PLANNED FOR THAT YEAR.

WE NEED TO DO MANY, MANY MORE WISHES THAN 50 IN ORDER TO HELP THESE KIDS GET THROUGH OUR PRICE LINE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT 65 WISHES IN THE COMING YEAR AND AVERAGE COST IS $12,000 PER WISH, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE.

I WAS SO PROUD OF OUR TEAM AND OUR VOLUNTEERS, AND OUR DONORS TO RIDE ALONG WITH US AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO RETHINK AND REIMAGINE HOW WE DO BUSINESS SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO MAKE WISHES COME TRUE.

THE IMPACT THAT YOU HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS MASSIVE.

AS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT TO KEEP MAKING THAT IMPACT ON CENTRAL NEW YORK?

>> FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF WHAT WE DO.

AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A WISH, AND THE JOY THAT IT BRINGS NOT JUST TO THAT ONE CHILD AND FAMILY BUT TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

WISHES JUST BRING JOY.

THEY ARE A CATALYST FOR JOY AND PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE A CATALYST FOR HOPE.

>> MY NAME IS MARK CRONIN, I'M PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF MCMC PROPERTIES.

I HAVE A 50% PARTNER, BOTH 50/50, SAME AS MATTHEW COLLINS.

I TYPICALLY BRING THE PEOPLE IN AND SO WORKS OUT.

A PRETTY GOOD MATCH.

>> TELL ME A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

YOU HAVE THE RESTAURANT, THE BARGE, THE MOTEL, EVERYTHING.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A LOT.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE'VE DONE THE RENOVATIONS IN HERE SINCE WE HAD A LITTLE EXTRA TIME DUE TO COVID.

THE PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY EVERY BUSINESS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT INDUSTRY YOU WERE IN.

THE RESTAURANT, BAR, MOTEL BUSINESS, IT IS THE PRETTY WORST THING YOU COULD HAVE THROUGH COVID WITH CANCELLATION, NON-TRAVELING, NOWHERE FOR FLIGHTS.

MOST PEOPLE IN INDUSTRY KNOW YOU DON'T MAKE A TON OF MONEY ON THE FOOD.

A LITTLE MORE ON THE BEVERAGES S AND WHAT NOT SO THAT WAS EXTENDED TO HELP US OUT.

IT DID CUT OUT A FEW MORE SEATS.

WE DID NOT LAY ANYBODY OFF.

THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT DID NOT COME BACK AND I APPLAUD THE PEOPLE THAT DID COME BACK.

WE HAD TWO OR THREE PEOPLE THAT CAME BACK, AND THAT'S -- THAT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE TO ME.

WE HAD SOME WEDDINGS SCHEDULED LAST YEAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO USE OUR CARPORT UNDERNEATH THE LAKE FRONT BUILDING SO IT WAS -- IT IS WELL INTO THE SIX DIGITS.

CLOSER TO A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE LOST OUT ON.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MADE A LOT OF RENOVATIONS DURING THIS SPACE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> SURE.

WE DID A FEW THINGS IN THE KITCHEN.

FOR THE MOST PART, IT IS ALL NEW FLOORING.

THIS HAD ASBESTOS FLOORING AND REPUBLICAN RATED THE NEW WOODWORK.

BAR TOP.

AND THINGS THIS YEAR, HAVE STARTED OFF PRETTY WELL.

THIS SEASON HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.

IT IS -- PEOPLE ARE COME BACK OUT.

FOOD IS SOMEWHAT HARD TO GET.

I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THAT WE WE WE HAVE STAYED TRUE TO IS OUR WING PRICE.

WING PRICES WHEN WE WANT FROM $70 AND WE'RE PAYING $183 DOLLARS OR SOMEWHERE ALONG THE RANGE WE KEPT THE WING PRICES WHERE THEY WERE WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL PROMOTE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GOOD TO US AND IF PEOPLE WANT CHICKEN WING, I WANT THEM TO GET THEM AT A REASONABLE PRICE WE GET ENCOURAGEMENT FROM NEIGHBORS HERE AS WELL AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AND NEW FRIENDS THAT WE HAVE MADE BECAUSE OF THERE THE LIST OF THE YEAR ONCE WE GET CLEANED UP FROM ALL OF THIS TO REALLY CONTINUE TO GET GOING, AND THE YEARS TO COME TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE THE FIRST YEAR AND TWICE THAT.

>> HI, MY NAME IS CARMEN.

I AM A SOCIAL WORKER IN MY CAREER BUT HERE AT ARTRAGE, I'M A VOLUNTEER AND NOW A NEW BOARD MEMBER.

WE'RE SYRACUSE'S ONLY SOCIAL JUSTICE THEME ART GALLERY SO THAT MEANS THAT WE ONLY DISPLAY ART THAT HAS A LINK TO SOME SORT OF LARGER GLOBAL AND NATIONAL CAUSE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ABILITY, TRANS, LGBTQ, YOU NAME IT.

IF IT HAD TO DO WITH A SOCIAL CAUSE, IT IS HERE AT ART RAGE.

ART RAM TRIES TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

RALLIES AND CAUSES AND SCREENING, ARTIST TALK, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THEY BRING IN THE SCHOOL.

IT IS A VERSATILE SPACE THAT IS GEARED TOWARD THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

COVID THREW EVERYTHING FOR A LOOP BUT WE TRIED TO ADAPT REALLY WELL.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO ADAPT AT THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC?

IT WAS A BIG ADJUSTMENTEN THE ONLY THING WE CO-DO IS TRY TO GO DIGITAL.

EXHIBITS WERE WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE.

YOU COULD DO A TOUR AND LOOK AT THE PIECE ON ITS OWN BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT ART IS MEANT TO BE SEEN AND VIEWED IN PERSON ESPECIALLY, EXHIBITS THAT ARE INTERACTIVE.

THERE IS EXHIBITS THAT HAVE MANY, MANY PIECES AND THERE IS A REALLY DEPTH TO THEM THAT YOU'RE JUST LACKING IF IT IS ON A SCREEN.

IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT AND I THINK IT DID TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE IMPACT THAT THE ART COULD HAVE.

ART RAGE'S BUDGET IS ALMOST ENTIRELY SUPPORTED BY INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND BY GRANTS AND FUNDS RAISING.

THIS YEAR WAS ESPECIALLY INTERESTING HAVING TO CALL PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID AND SAY WE'RE SUPER STRUGGLING, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE SOME MONEY ANYWAY.

BUT PEOPLE WERE HAPPY TO DO IT.

THEY WANTED TO SEE ART RAGE COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO HAVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

WEE BE HERE WITHOUT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

THIS TYPE OF PLACE PROVIDES A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND GET A WINDOW INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THAT.

WHICH CAN ONLY ADD TO OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE, TO OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE ALL HUMAN AND, WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> I'M MIKE, NANCY AND I STARTED SALT OF THE EARTH LAST YEAR, MARCH 2020, AND WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH BEEN BARTENDER, COOK, WAITER, WAITRESS, BUS BOY, AND CLEAN UP CREW.

SO WE HAVE BEEN BIG FANS OF THE CULINARY SCENE IN THE FINGER LAKES, AND WE STARTED OUT DOING A FEW SMALL PRIVATE EVENTS ON THE DIFFERENT LAKES.

AND JUST KIND OF TURNED INTO A DREAM WE HAD TO ONE DAY, OPEN OUR OWN PLACE.

>> WE PARTNER WITH A LOT OF WINERIES LOCALLY.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND GET MORE FINGER LAKES WINERIES AS WELL AS WINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN HERE.

SO WHEN WE EXPAND, WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE SELECTIONS THAN WE DO NOW.

>> SO WE'RE IS VERY SUSTAINABLE LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS, SMALL FARMS, AND WE'RE OPEN ONE DAY, MARCH 11.

>> WE STRUGGLED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE D UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE ANY REVENUE TO SPEAK OF PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS NOTHING TO GO BY.

NANCY AND I DON'T PAY OURSELVES.

I HAVEN'T HAD A PAYCHECK IN ALMOST TWO YEARS.

WE'RE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN.

THE ONLY RESTAURANT IN TOWN.

WE HAVE A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE AND THE FACT THAT WE CHANGED THAT TO MOSTLY, YOU KNOW, TAKE OUT FRIENDLY MENU, I THINK THAT, ATTRACTED A LOT MORE FOLK S. >> WE STARTED AND WENT RIGHT INTO TAKEOUT SO WE WERE CLOSED DOWN IN MARCH AND THEN, SECOND WEEK IN JULY, YOU KNOW, WE DECIDED TO OPEN UP AND JUST GIVE IT A GO AND SEE WHAT WE COULD MAKE OF IT.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING PARTNERING WITH ALL TESTIFY LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT WITHIN REACH OF US HERE, AND FARMERS AND PURVEYOR.

SMALL BUSINESS RELIES ON OTHER SMALL BUSINESS.

WE RELY ON EACH OTHER SO I THINK THIS IS OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA, THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY BE FOOD AND BEVERAGE, YOU KNOW, IT IS THE BANK ACROSS THE STREET.

THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP.

YOU KNOW,s THE BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP NEXT DOOR.

WE HAVE SEVERAL GREAT PARTNERS AT OUR JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE LIKE US.

♪ ♪ >> HI, MY NAME IS HEATHER AND I'M THE OWNER OF MINDFUL YOGA AND MEDITATION.

I FOCUS MORE ON ONE TO ONE SESSIONS WITH PEOPLE AND OFFERING MORE LIKE ENERGY WORK.

DOING THAT THROUGH REIKE, MEDITATION, WE FOCUS IN ON WHAT PEOPLE NEED AND WHAT THE GOALS ARE COMING IN AND TRYING TO LIKE BRAY THEM BACK INTO LIKE THEIR CENTER OR BRING THEM BACK INTO THEIR WHOLE AUTHENTIC SELVES, AND FINDING THAT PLACE AGAIN.

A HAPPIER LIFE, AND, CAN DEAL WITH DAILY STRESSES EASIER.

>> AS YOU MENTIONED, COVID WAS REALLY A TIME OF SELF REFLECTION FOR YOU.

HOW DID IT IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS HERE?

>> SO WE WERE CLOSED FOR QUITE A WHILE.

FINANCIALLY, IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT.

WE DIDN'T GET MUCH FUNDING SO THAT WAS REALLY, REALLY CHALLENGING.

AND NOT TO HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT THROUGH GRANTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND I FEEL SO THANKFUL FOR LIKE OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE EVERYONE IS KIND OF KEPT US AFLOAT THROUGH THIS PAST LIKE YEAR.

I WAS DEFINITELY HELPFUL.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY LIKE, PEOPLE WERE DONATING AND OFFERING AND SUPPORT FOR US.

I AM EXCITED TO JUST BE THIS KIND OF HOME BASE FOR PEOPLE.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THE TRANSFORMATION THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH, AND JUST TO SEE PEOPLE SHINE AND BE THEIR TRUE SELVES AND, ALREADY HAPPENING AND IT IS REALLY REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THAT FOR PEOPLE.

♪ >> HI, MY NAME IS HANI MAHMOUD.

I'M PRESIDENT OF PYRAMID HALAL MEATS.

WE DO GROCERIES, MEATS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

A SMALL SECTION OF TAKEOUT FOOD.

AND I STARTED HERE AND WE STARTED FROM NOTHING BASICALLY.

THERE WAS NOTHING AS YOU SEE HERE.

IT WAS NOTHING.

JUST THE FLOOR.

NO COOLERS, NO NOTHING.

JUST THE MEAT.

WE STARTED TO BE NOTICED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY.

AND WE'RE HERE YEARS LATER.

>> AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU GUYS KIND OF TOOK OFF.

AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED.

CAN YOU TALK A BIT ABOUT HOW THAT AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?

>> WE STAYED OPEN.

AND, WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE A LOT OF THE NORTH SIDE COMMUNITY, AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO SLOW, WE WANTED TO KEEP GOING.

THE FAMILIES, FAMILIES AND KIDS GROW UP.

AND, WE WORK A LOT WITH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

WE HAVE A VERY IMPACT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND.

THIS COMMUNITY WAS, IT IS AS A FAMILY.

AND EVERY PERSON COMES IN HERE.

IT IS LIKE THIS IS THEIR HOME.

AND, WE RESPECT EVERYBODY.

>> MY NAME IS JILL AND THEY ARESON AND I'M THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AT SYRACUSE STAGE.

ALONG WITH MY PARTNER BOB, STAGE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WE LEAD A STAFF OF ABOUT 50 PEOPLE AND A BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ABOUT 50 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND UNIVERSITY APPOINTEES.

AND IN PRODUCING PLAYS, ARTISTIC EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ALL YEARLONG.

WE'RE ENTERING THE OUR 49TH SEASON.

WE'RE A FULLY PROFESSIONAL COMPANY.

RESIDENTS AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SO WE WORK IN GREAT COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA, BUT THE SYRACUSE STAGE PRODUCTION FOLKS COME TO SEE OUR GENERALLY NEW YORK ACTOR, TOP ACTORS AND DESIGNER FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WHY THE WORLD WHO COME TO SYRACUSE TO REHEARSE, BUILD, PRODUCE, PLAYS AND MUSICALS RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING.

SO EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE ON THE STAGES, IS BUILT BEHIND US.

COSTUMES ARE BUILT IN THE BASEMENT.

THE THEATRE WILL HAVE SIX PLAYS AND MUSICALLING STARTS IN OCTOBER AND GOING THROUGH THE END OF JUNE INCLUDING A COUPLE OF WORLD PREMIERS.

WE CANNOT WAIT TO GET PEOPLE BACK IN THIS BUILDING AND IN THIS ROOM DOING THEATRE TOGETHER.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT HOW THAT PANDEMIC IMPACTED SYRACUSE STAGE?

>> OUR BUDGET DECREASED BY ABOUT A THIRD, BUT, FOR US AS LONG AS THE EXPENSES CONTINUE TO GO DOWN, WITH THE INCOME, THAT WAS OKAY.

SO THE PRODUCTIONS WERE SMALLER.

ONE THING THAT I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF, IS THAT THIS THEATRE COMPANY IS ONE OF THE ONLY ONES IN THE COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY RETAINED OUR FULL STAFF DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT THAT MEANT IS WE LEARNED VERY QUICKLY THAT YOU LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM, WE'VE TURNED INTO ESSENTIALLY A FILM STUDIO.

HOW TO MAKE THEATRE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE PRODUCED SIX WORKS OF THEATRE IN SIX VERY DIFFERENT WAYS THROUGHOUT LAST YEAR.

WE DID A PLAY THAT SET IN A TRAILER.

THEY TOUR THE COUNTRY DOING THEATRE, AND USE THEIR RV AS THEIR HOME.

AND FILMED THIS PLAY WITH GO PROCAMERAS INSTALLED ALL OVER THE HOME.

THE FACT WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY WAS REALLY AMAZING.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A FOCUS ON BEING A THEATRE FOR OF AND BY THIS COMMUNITY.

WE ALSO BE A PARTNERSHIP WITH 100 MEN OF GREATER SYRACUSE ON THE 100 CONVERSATIONS FOR CHANGE IN WHICH WE HELPED TO PRODUCE A SERIES OF VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS HERE TALKING ABOUT STATE OF THINGS IN SYRACUSE AND HOW WE COULD CHANGE.

THIS IS ALL IN THE AFTERMATH OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER AND AS OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH RACIAL JUSTICE THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR IN A HEIGHTENED WAY.

SO BEING ABLE TO REALIZE, WE HAVE AN EMPTY THEATRE.

WE REQUEST DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

>> YOU MENTIONED SO MANY EXCITING THINGS COMING UP IN THE FUTURE FOR SYRACUSE STAGE.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

>> I GET -- WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD BE LIKE.

AND SO THE IDEA OF STANDING IN THAT LOBBY FOR THE FIRST NIGHT AND SEEING PEOPLE THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN TWO YEARS GIVES ME ABSOLUTE CHILLS.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS GOTTEN -- IN A WAY THAT HASN'T BEEN THE CASE EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

SO, WE'RE PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT SUPPORT.

>> >> HERE AT SALT CITY MARKET, YOU CAN FIND ALL KINDS OF DELICIOUS MEAL BUT IT IS MORE ABOUT SERVING UP FOOD THAT'S GOOD FOR THE HEART AND SOUL.

IT IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY.

>> HI, MY NAME IS DREAMER AND I AM THE OWNER OF MISS PR ISSY'S WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE SALT CITY MARKET.

MISS PR ISSY IS AMERICAN SOUL FOOD WE COOK FOOD THAT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL.

I'VE BEEN CATERING AROUND CITY OF SYRACUSE FOR MAYBE 17, 18 YEARS.

PRIVATE EVENTS.

SOME CORPORATE FUNCTIONS, AND, THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF FOR THE SALT CITY MARKET WHICH WAS A HIGHLY-COMPETITIVE PROCESS.

AND IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM WAS I INTERESTED THIS JOINING THIS COMPETITION.

AT ALL.

SO, A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE, YOU KNOW, LIKE, THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY AND YOU SHOULD REALLY GET INTO IT.

IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A TWO AND A HALF YEAR JOURNEY AND, YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE.

THE BUILDING WAS JUST STARTING TO BE BUILT.

PRIOR TO THAT WE HAD EVENTS JUST, LINED UP, WE WERE BOOKED OUT UNTIL AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THEN COVID HIT.

SO WE WERE REALLY STUCK AND WONDERING WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

HOW DO WE MOVE FROM A BUSINESS MIND TO WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

>> I'M MAARTEN JACOBS AND I WORK FOR THE ALLYN FAMILY FOUNDATION AND ALSO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SYRACUSE URBAN PARTNERSHIP WHO DESIGNED AND BUILT THE SALT CITY MARKET.

WE ALSO OVERSAW THE COMMUNITY PLATES PROJECT.

THE COMMUNITY PLATES PROGRAM I BELIEVE IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM.

WE PUT OUT THE CALL SAYING LOOK, DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WE TOTALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE COOKS AND WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF FOOD RIGHT NOW.

COULD ANYBODY STEP IN?

AND DREAMER IMMEDIATELY ROSE THEIR HAND AND SAID, ABSOLUTELY, I WANT TO ASSIST FOLKS AND COOK FOR PEOPLE, AND SO WE GOT HER SPACE IN A COMMUNITY KITCHEN AND OFF SHE WENT COOKING HUNDREDS OF MEAL AS WEEK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN THAT EARLY PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE AND PREPARE OVER 16,800 MEALS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AT NO COST TO THEM.

IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, YOU KNOW, JUST HELPING AND DOING AND KNOWING THAT EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK, EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE MAY HAVE GOTTEN LAID OFF, THEY WERE STILL ABLE TO EAT GREAT FOOD BECAUSE OF WHAT MISS PRISSY'S WAS DOING.

>> THE FIRST TIME I MET DREAMER WE WERE IN HUNTING ON THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MY MOM HAS ONSET DEMENTIA AND DREAMER IS VERY FAMILY ORIENTED.

HER GIFTS AND ATTRIBUTES SHE PROVIDED TO THE SYRACUSE COMMUNITY HELPED TO STRENGTHEN, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIME WHEN WE WERE IMPACTED BY A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OBSTACLES AND MAINLY FOR ME, YOU KNOW, EVEN THE BURDEN OF BEING ABLE TO FEED MY MOTHER, A HOME COOKED MEAL AND DELICIOUS AT THE SAME TIME.

>> >> WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

DREAMER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE BUSINESSES FEATURED HERE TONIGHT.

AS WE CLOSE TONIGHT'S PROGRAMMING, HERE IS A SNEAK PEAK INTO NEXT MONTH'S INSTALLMENT OF WCNY'S IMPACT GIVEBACK PROGRAM.

>> THE PANDEMIC A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

BUSINESSES DECREASE.

>> WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY.

AND ARTISTS WILL FIND A WAY TO DELIVER THEIR PRODUCT, ANY POSSIBLE WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> I'M JUST MOST EXCITED TO JUST COME TO WORK EVERY DAY.

>> TO FIND OUT MORE ON THE BUSINESSES WE FEATURED TONIGHT, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WCNY.ORG/IMPACTPROGRAM.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.

THIS HAS BEEN WCNY'S IMPACT GIVEBACK PROGRAM.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

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