NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Last year, Lewiston resident Angelo Sarkees began the "Deposits for Food" initiative, collecting bottles, can and scrap to raise funds for a pair of Niagara Falls charities. In year two, the program's impact more than tripled, as Mr. Sarkees presented checks of $1,000 each to Community Missions and Heart, Love and Soul on Thursday.

The total contributions consisted of $1,500 from Mr. Sarkees' collection efforts and $250 from each of the initiative's sponsors, Modern Corporation and Sevenson Environmental Services. Mr. Sarkees will continue the collection efforts through the summer and fall with the hope of doubling the fundraising revenue.

"I would like to thank Modern Corporation and Sevenson Environmental Services for their generous support," said Mr. Sarkees, organizer and administrator of the initiative. "I would also like to thank all those at Modern who assisted and encouraged the initiative's efforts, and particularly for supplying the materials and supplies used in the collection. Last but not the least, all those working at the Mission and at Heart, Love and Soul deserve gratitude and support, above all others."

Photo ID: (l to r) Maggie Gardner, Sevenson Environmental Services; Angelo Sarkees; Joe Sbarbati, Associate Director, Community Missions; Sister Beth Brosmer, Executive Director, Heart, Love and Soul; Fran Giles, Vice President of Community Relations, Modern Corporation.