CNY Diaper Bank Hosts Second Annual “Battle of the Brunch” Event

Community members encouraged to donate to help wipe out diaper need

LIVERPOOL, N.Y. – The CNY Diaper Bank invites community members to its “Battle of the Brunch” fundraising event on Sunday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Carrier Circle (6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse, NY 13057). Guests will enjoy tastings of some of our area’s best brunch dishes and vote for their favorites alongside a panel of local celebrity judges, including Arthur Jones III, former Syracuse and NFL football player, Amy Robbins, local radio host for Ted & Amy in the Morning on 93Q, and Chef Christine Gutchess and Margaret Gutchess, co-authors of the cookbook Homebody. Guest and celebrity voting will determine which restaurant will walk away with the Battle of the Brunch title.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/BattleoftheBrunch.

“This event is a very special Sunday brunch, celebrating some of our community’s favorite chefs and restaurants coming together for an important cause,” said Michela Hugo, founder of the CNY Diaper Bank.

The current list of restaurants that have confirmed participation include Emerald Cocktail Kitchen, Glazed & Confused, Meier’s Creek, Original Grain, Purple Banana, SINBUN, The Daily Diner, Toss & Fire, XO Taco and Wegmans (John Glenn Grocery Store). The CNY Diaper Bank is still accepting applications for participation, so restaurants interested can contact fundraising@cnydiaperbank.org. 

A cash bar with a selection of cocktails, beer and wine will be available throughout the event. Live entertainment will be provided by Michael Houston, and the event will also feature a silent auction. General admission tickets are $50 and include tastings from each restaurant. VIP tickets are $75 and include tastings from each restaurant plus two mimosas. Thanks to the event sponsors and restaurant partners, 100% of the proceeds from all ticket sales will go directly to the CNY Diaper Bank’s diaper distribution program.

The CNY Diaper Bank is currently the largest diaper bank in New York State, working with a network of partner agencies to distribute an average of 170,000 diapers to 3,500 local babies and toddlers each month. The CNY Diaper Bank has already distributed over 1 million diapers in 2024 alone, and aims to continue making meaningful differences in the lives of families across Central New York. Though diapers are an essential need for babies, they are not covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or by Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. Since an adequate supply of diapers for a single child can cost up to $100 per month, diapers become an expense that one in two families has difficulty keeping up with.

For more information about the “Battle of the Brunch” event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact michela@cnydiaperbank.org. 

About CNY Diaper Bank: The Central New York Diaper Bank is a nonprofit that was created in 2016 to help social service organizations in the Syracuse area distribute diapers to families in need. It is a part of the National Diaper Bank Network. The CNY Diaper Bank’s mission is to ensure that all Central New York families have access to an adequate supply of diapers, and to build awareness of diaper need in our community.