The Buffalo City Mission today announced members of its Corporate Compassion Roundtable. The Roundtable brings together representatives from various businesses and industries who understand the impact poverty and homelessness have on our families, neighborhoods, business district and region.

The group meets monthly to take on tough issues and illicit support from other business and community groups. Topics include: fundraising, communications and discussing programming to increase job readiness skills.

"For many of the low income working people who come to the Mission, it's getting harder and harder to sustain their families," said Aubrey Calhoun, director of community relations at Buffalo City Mission. "Higher energy and food costs have made it nearly impossible. We're seeing more folks looking to us for help. The volunteers participating in our Corporate Compassion Roundtable will help raise awareness and funding for the Mission to provide for the increased need."

Corporate Compassion Roundtable members include:

Karen Albone, General Manager, Homewood Suites Buffalo Airport

Jodi Benson, Director of Sales, Homewood Suites Buffalo Airport

David R. Bogart, Wireless Zone Franchise Owner, Verizon Wireless Authorized Retailer

Michael Dolpp, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Danaher Corporation/Thomson

Sheryl Duquette, Perkins Assistant Project Director, Erie Community College

Andrew Fleming, Partner, Law Firm of Chiacchia & Fleming

Jennifer E. Foley, Public Affairs, GEICO

Krista L. Glenn, Marketing Manager, Buffalo Lodging Associates

James E. Knight, President, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors

Dan Locche, Public Affairs Director, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors

Jeanette Mongold, Deputy Comptroller, City of Buffalo

Shelley Stoeckl, Manager of Production Services, SKM Group, Inc.

To learn more about the group, please call 348-3101 or visit www.buffalocitymission.org/how_you_can_help.

"We have a difficult road ahead. We hope more people will reach out and volunteer, donate or pray for us as we continue to serve hundreds of people who are poor or homeless each and every day," said Calhoun.

The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a not-for-profit organization that provides preventative, emergency and long-term recovery services to thousands of people who are homeless or impoverished. The Mission includes: Women and Children's Shelter (Cornerstone Manor); the Men's Center; the Mission Motors Vehicle Donation Program; and two thrift store locations to better serve our community. For more information, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org or 854-8181.