Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts may be located two miles beyond the Bronx border in Westchester County, but the entertainment and gaming destination continues to be committed to its philanthropic support of the borough.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been directed to numerous Bronx nonprofits to fund programs within the company’s core philanthropic focus areas, which include food insecurity programs to ensure residents have access to nutritious meals, educational programs that support academic success and workforce development initiatives providing educational and training programs to prepare individuals for career opportunities.
As part of Empire City’s commitment to public education and workforce development, BronxWorks, a local nonprofit that provides key services to uplift and empower Bronx communities, was awarded a significant grant for $30,000 to fund the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program for youth in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. The grant is in addition to previous grants awarded to BronxWorks to support workforce development with a focus on homeless individuals.
“As we mark 50 years of proudly serving Bronx communities, including 60,000 Bronx residents annually, we are fortunate to have corporate partners who step up to serve their community in many ways and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is no exception,” said Eileen Torres, executive director of BronxWorks. “Thanks to their continued generosity and support, BronxWorks is able to enhance our STEM programs which stimulate creativity and innovation while teaching the value of teamwork and collaboration, all necessary tools for students to be successful on their educational and career journeys.”
Empire City also recently supported the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation with a grant of $10,000 to support the newly formed foundation’s workforce development initiatives throughout the Bronx, to ensure job opportunities for the next generation of Bronx leaders.
“We are grateful for the longstanding partnership with Empire City Casino,” said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “Their ongoing support allows us to implement workforce development programs to best prepare Bronxites for career opportunities. We look forward to continuing this partnership as they work to secure a full gaming license which will create thousands of new union jobs and expand opportunities for Bronx businesses as providers of goods and services.”
Over the last 12 months, Empire City has also supported numerous Bronx organizations in line with its three pillars of giving which are workforce development, public education and food insecurity. Through the company’s workforce development and homelessness initiatives, Empire City recently provided a $10,000 workforce development grant to VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a nonprofit provider of free services for visually impaired individuals and their families.
Nonprofit organizations also heavily rely on the services of volunteers. The Bronx graffiti cleanup initiated by Empire City last year, expanded to become part of a Bronx Day of Action event held — jointly with team members from Empire City joining the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and City Councilmember Althea Stevens in the Mount Eden district of the Bronx near Jerome Avenue and 170th Street — to beautify the neighborhood.
Empire City’s philanthropic focus on food insecurity continues as rising inflation has increased demand at food pantries around the region. Members of the Empire City team supported an MLK Day of Action event by volunteering at the Hunts Point Food Bank, as well as funding a pop-up food pantry in a known food desert in the borough through their partnership with Catholic Charities.
Some Bronx students headed back to school with backpacks and supplies donated by companies like Empire City, which expanded its backpack donation this year to support more students in Yonkers, Mount Vernon and the Bronx. Empire City also continues its longtime support of community events such as the Summer Concert Series at Orchard Beach, a perfect pairing for a company that serves as a popular entertainment destination of choice for many Bronx residents.
“We are committed to giving back to our local communities and the Bronx is a primary partner,” said Taryn Duffy, vice president of public affairs at Empire City. “More than one-third of our workforce call the Bronx home, and supporting our neighbors is part of our company DNA. Our commitment to the communities of the Bronx is strong, continuing, and unwavering.”
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