Fillmore Powerhouse Feeds Children’s Minds, Bodies
(This article was also published in the 2026 Community Day newspaper.)
Thanks in part to support from the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties, the Fillmore Powerhouse in 2025 continued two of its most impactful programs: its Summer Recreation & Free Lunch Program and its Afterschool Tutoring and Recreation Program.
During the summer of 2025, the Powerhouse operated a five-week recreation and meal program serving 88 children and teens. Participants enjoyed crafts, games, music sing-alongs, the spray pool, and the skatepark while also learning about gardening and sustainability through the organization’s raised garden beds.
Children helped care for vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits, gaining hands-on experience with healthy foods and nutrition. Program surveys showed that 100 percent of participating children could correctly identify healthy foods.
The Powerhouse also significantly expanded its free meal service. Despite reducing the summer program from six weeks to five, staff served 1,079 lunches and 1,129 snacks – up from 780 lunches and 813 snacks in 2024. In addition to onsite meals three days per week, the organization provided take-home lunches and snacks for another three days, helping children access meals six days each week.
Program leaders credited the success to experienced staff and returning summer employees who helped maintain a high-quality program in a safe, supervised environment for local youth.
That supportive atmosphere continues throughout the school year through the Afterschool Tutoring and Recreation Program, serving students in grades K-12 from Fillmore and surrounding communities Monday through Thursday.
Students receive homework help, reading enrichment, and one-on-one tutoring support from staff, including a certified teacher and students from Houghton University. Staff reported student preparedness for school improved from approximately 85 percent at the beginning of the year to 95 percent by midyear, while tutoring sessions had already surpassed last year’s total of 381.
Students also participate in weekly clubs, including cooking, outdoor games, arts and crafts, music, and gardening. Many activities connect, such as using vegetables grown in the garden to make homemade pizza sauce and carrot cake during cooking club.
By combining education, recreation, nutrition, and mentorship, the Powerhouse continues to help local children thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
