12th Annual Holiday Haul Kicks Off to Support St. Susan Center

JAMESTOWN, NY — The 12th Annual Holiday Haul, one of St. Susan Center’s largest and most impactful fundraisers, has officially begun. This beloved community tradition, which has collected over $160,000 and more than 140,000 pounds of canned goods over the past 11 years, ensures that the soup kitchen can stock its pantry and fund operations to guarantee meals for those in need year-round.

This year’s Holiday Haul will take place at the Jamestown Cycle Shop parking lot, 10 Harrison St., Jamestown, NY from Thursday, December 12, through Saturday, December 14, with extended hours to encourage even greater participation:

Thursday and Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

St. Susan Center Director Cherie Rowland highlighted the vital role this event plays. “The Holiday Haul is not just a fundraiser; it’s a lifeline for our organization. The donations we receive during this event allow us to provide hot, nutritious meals and maintain a warm, welcoming space for our neighbors all year long,” said Rowland.

The Holiday Haul was originally “the brainchild” of Keith Martin, who partnered with co-organizer Dan Keefe over a decade ago to create this annual tradition. Though Martin has since retired, his unwavering support and dedication to St. Susan Center continue to inspire everyone involved.

Co-organizer Dan Keefe reflected on the event’s legacy: “What started as a small idea has grown into an extraordinary community effort. It’s amazing to see how much of a difference we can make together.”

“This year feels even more special,” added co-organizer Tracy Tellinghuisen. “With the launch of St. Susan Center’s capital campaign, we’re not only ensuring meals today but building a brighter future for St. Susan Center.”

The capital campaign marks a new chapter for St. Susan Center. Thanks to the generous donation of the Jamestown Business College building by former JBC President David Conklin, the center plans to relocate and transform its operations. Renovations to the first floor will include a spacious and welcoming dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a dock area to streamline food deliveries. The lower level will feature a pantry, programming spaces, and staff accommodations, enabling St. Susan Center to expand its capacity and services significantly.

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Rowland. “It’s about strengthening the heart of our community and ensuring that St. Susan Center remains a place of hope, nourishment, and dignity for decades to come.”

Last year’s Holiday Haul collected nearly 20,000 pounds of canned goods, and organizers hope to surpass that total this year, pushing cumulative contributions over $175,000.

The kickoff event featured a photo with this year’s organizing team, including Dan Keefe (Cummins), Randy Marsh (Jamestown Cycle Shop), James Pullan Jr. (Jamestown Mattress), Cherie Rowland (St. Susan Center), Tracy Tellinghuisen (Epic Floats & Wellness), and Jordan Saxton (Jamestown Awning).

About St. Susan Center: St. Susan Center’s story began with a tragedy and a dream. In the early 1980s, an ecumenical group of clergy from the Southern Chautauqua region envisioned a place where anyone in need could receive “meals, fellowship, dignity, and respect.” Despite their passion, the dream lacked funding—until a heartbreaking event led to an extraordinary gift.

After a young downstate New Yorker named Susan Tornebene tragically lost her life in a car accident, her family, deeply moved by the support they received from the Jamestown community, donated the funds to make the clergy’s vision a reality. St. Susan Center opened its doors on February 1, 1984, in the former St. James Catholic School.

For 40 years, the center has nurtured the community by offering “food, fellowship, dignity, and respect.” It has grown and adapted to meet ever-changing needs, from its original home at St. James to its current location, and now, to its next phase at the former Jamestown Business College building.

The generosity of Susan Tornebene’s family and countless community members since then serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in compassion and the transformative impact of love.