Working to end hunger one plate at a time.
One Mission
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY A PLATE OF LOVE
WHAT WE DO
Through its Plate of Love program, Cold Spring Community Foundation provides meals at no cost to our guests, sustained by committed and compassionate volunteers and the generous contributions of donors. Everyone is welcome to come. Our dining room is open to the public regardless of race, religion, or creed. All meals are free.
WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU AT OUR TABLE
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Breakfast
SERVED SATURDAYS
FROM 9:30 TO 11:30 AMOur breakfast menu includes scrambled eggs, tater tots, bacon, turkey sausage, grits, biscuits, cereal, juice, and water.
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Lunch
SERVED WEDNESDAYS
FROM 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PMOur lunch menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, salad, dessert, soda, and water.
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Getting Here
We’d love to see you! You can choose from several bus lines, including the Utica #12, Jefferson #18, Kensington / Ferry #13, or Main #8 bus lines and the Main / East Utica Train Station.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Plate of Love staff are dedicated volunteers. A full 100% of all donations go directly to feeding the community. Your donation of time and help is also greatly appreciated!
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Donate
We accept donations through CashApp or check and money orders. Please make your check or money order payable to Cold Spring Community Foundation Inc. and mail it to the attention of Penny Beckham, 234 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100, Buffalo, New York 14208.
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Volunteer
We welcome all volunteers over the age of 18. If you’d like to help us end hunger, stop by on Wednesdays and Saturdays—and roll up your sleeves! We welcome groups like local banks, colleges, schools, churches, or other organizations.
FOR FUNDERS
Cold Spring Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose goal is to help feed the less fortunate members of our community. This includes helping the elderly, unemployed, underemployed, poor, and the homeless—women, men, and children. The Soup Kitchen provides healthy and nutritious meals to all who come through our doors. We are committed to improving the quality of life. Our desire is that no one goes hungry, that no food goes to waste in our community, and no one is denied an opportunity for a meal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We’ve included answers to frequently asked questions here. If you would like additional information, please reach out using the contact form below.
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Plate of Love is a program of the Cold Spring Community Foundation Inc. The Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a New York State Tax Exempt organization. Our IRS Form 990, as well as our IRS Letter of Determination and our EIN, are available upon request.
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We serve anyone in the community who walks through our doors. If someone can get to 234 Glenwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208, then there is a meal waiting for them.
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Plate of Love is staffed by nine volunteers.
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As an example, on Saturdays in July we typically serve between 180 and 200 people for breakfast. On Wednesdays in July, we typically serve between 170 and 185 people for lunch.
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Thousands.
Over the course of 8 months in 2022, we served 9,338 people—an increase of 3,765 people compared to 2021.
In 2021, over the course of 8 months, we served 5,574 people.
In 2020, over the course of 6 months, we served 4,218 people.
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Our cafeteria is family friendly and wheelchair accessible. Face masks are required.
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We provide referrals to community partners that provide clothing, housing, and medical insurance assistance.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
Penny Beckham is the Founder and Executive Director of Cold Spring Community Foundation Inc. which operates the Plate of Love. Penny believes that no one should ever go hungry. It is her personal mission, as well as that of our volunteers, to End Hunger One Plate at a Time!
Penny retired from CITI after 24½ years of service in the accounting and finance department. She is a Trustee Board member of State Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, which so graciously allows Plate of Love to operate out of their dining hall, the Regional Christian Woman’s Council President, and the Western NY 1st Christian Woman’s Council State Vice President.
