Food cooperative set to break ground May 4, open early next year After about five years of planning, the South Side Food Cooperative, a division of the Southside Community Coalition, and the South Side Initiative are gearing up to build a food co-op in the neighborhood. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled May 4 at 2327 S. Salina St., to initiate …

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is often contacted by citizens regarding the quality of the air in their community.  To help address many of these concerns, DEC is initiating a new community-based program, the Community Air Screen (CAS).  This program uses local volunteers to gather air samples for laboratory screening to identify possible air pollutants.  The …

Sam Rowser with On Point helps local students achieve college dreams Ever since Sam Rowser overcame the obstacles in his life that stood between him and a college degree, he has firmly believed that education is the key to positive change and success. “In my life, I’ve had some bumps in the road, and the one thing that was consistent …

Syracuse community members depend on pantries for nutrition Verleen Innis has a fresh and deep, pink scratch near her left eye. It’s not her first — nor is the story behind it a new one. The 54-year-old South Side resident says she tries to ration the food she gets from pantries, but it is tough for her and her disabled …

Meals on Wheels shows it cares by making deliveries for 52 years A good morning rush doesn’t require a hot cup of coffee — just a kitchen full of volunteers and staff at Meals on Wheels, where 1,000 free meals are made and delivered every week. Meals on Wheels of Syracuse is a not-for-profit agency that provides nutritious meals to …

Mayor adds two African-Americans to Citizens Cabinet The everyday South Siders who call for more African-Americans to represent them in government may have to do it themselves. But political experts in town and some African-Americans who have made it into city leadership acknowledge getting involved is costly and somewhat intimidating, and the very people calling for a greater voice sometimes …

Tucker Missionary Baptist Church provides members in need with financial, employment assistance Tucker Missionary Baptist Church provided Walter Tapley with spiritual guidance — but that won’t pay the rent. The church was there for that as well. “I had fallen on some hard times, and Tucker Missionary helped me through a lot of my struggles,” Tapley said.

This Saturday, April 14, high school students from the Say Yes Collegiate Preparatory Academy are scheduled to visit a developing snack garden housed on the property of the Rahma Free Health Clinic located at 3100 S. Salina St. The students will give out information they have gathered about food deserts while they also assist with mulching, trail building, sign making …

Emergency physician incorporates her Catholic beliefs into her hospital work For Louise Prince, religion is not something that stops when she leaves church. She practices her faith every day when she goes to work as an emergency physician at Upstate University Hospital. That faith shows in how she treats patients who may have no means of payment, and in the …

Ever since 2002, Mary Nelson, founder of the Mary Nelson Youth Center, has worked to empower her community. Recently Nelson decided to reach kids through the form of entertainment. On Thursday, April 12, Nelson will hold her first mock interview of the radio program Rise Up, which she says is scheduled to air on Clear Channel’s Power am 620 on …