By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
When picturing your ideal Sunday plans, what is better than brunch with your besties? What if that brunch could feed two birds with one scone, as it were, and help contribute to a worthy cause?
A dozen local restaurants are coming together to do just that in the Battle of the Brunch competition, the proceeds of which benefit the CNY Diaper Bank. The event is Sunday, March 8, at the DoubleTree in East Syracuse.
“We all love brunch, so we thought this would be fun,” said CNY Diaper Bank founder Michela Hugo.
Brunch-goers can sample dishes from 12 local restaurants and vote on their favorites. Local celebrity judges such as TeNesha Murphy of “Bridge Street” on NewsChannel 9 and Charlie Miller and Jacob Pucci of Syracuse.com will lend their taste buds as well.
WHAT: Battle of the Brunch fundraiser for CNY Diaper Bank
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Carrier Circle (6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse)
INFO: Participating restaurants include A La Mode Cafe & Catering, Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant, the Conundrum food truck, Eleven Waters, Glazed & Confused, Oompa Loompyas Filipino Fusion Food, Original Grain, Rise N Shine Diner, The Brasserie Bar & Bistro, The Chef & The Cook, Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza and 110 Grill. Tickets can be purchased at cnydiaperbank.org/events until March 7. General admission tickets are $35 and include tastings from each restaurant. For $50, VIP tickets additionally give guests early access with 11 a.m. admission and two mimosas.
Hugo founded the CNY Diaper Bank in 2016. Since then, the organization has distributed more than 2 million diapers to families in the Syracuse area. Half of the children under 5 in Syracuse live in poverty, and 1 of 4 live in extreme poverty.
“Parents really worry when they can’t afford diapers. They worry where the next diaper will come from and if they’ll be able to keep their baby dry and healthy,” Hugo said.
CNY Diaper Bank works with 30 partner agencies to distribute more than 100,000 diapers each month. The families who receive the diapers complete regular surveys so the organization can ensure their needs are being met.
“We get all kinds of feedback. We know that families are able to buy food, they’re able to pay bills, they have happier healthier children,” Hugo said. “Their stress levels are reduced. Less stressed parents are better parents.”
Hugo said she drew inspiration for Battle of the Brunch from the Junior League of Rochester, which puts on a similar event.
In addition to sampling the best brunch dishes CNY has to offer, attendees of Battle of the Brunch can enjoy a cash bar with mimosas, bloody Marys and other cocktails. The event also features live entertainment by Nate Michaels and raffle prizes such as restaurant gift cards and a family pack of five Walt Disney World park hopper passes.
While donations of diapers are welcome, CNY Diaper Bank is able to negotiate better bulk prices as a nonprofit, so monetary donations stretch further.
“It really helps us ensure that the proceeds from the vent are going where they need to go, which is to help local families experiencing diaper need,” Hugo said.
The event is sponsored by Pinckney Hugo Group, 93Q, Seneca Savings and Buckeye Corrugated.
“The companies sponsoring the event realize that need and understand the difference their support can make, which is amazing,” Hugo said.
Hugo will appear on 93Q and “Bridge Street” to promote the event.
“‘Bridge Street’ is going to highlight a few of the restaurants the week before the event. They’re going to be cooking up their brunch dishes on air,” she said.
