Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center Merge Two faith-based organizations dedicated to serving individuals and families in need have officially merged, combining their missions, resources, and staff under one unified entity: Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center (FOTP/CMC). The merger brings together the complementary strengths of both organizations, sponsored by The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, respectively. “Our sponsoring organizations recognized that we share deep similarities in our Catholic missions, values, and service approaches,” said Sister Mary Ellen Fuhrman, RSM, Chair of the Corporate Members. “By combining our efforts, we can significantly expand our reach to the most vulnerable members of our community.” After more than a year of collaborative operations at the Catherine McAuley Center’s administrative offices at 430 Pittston Avenue in Scranton, both organizations determined that a formal merger would best serve their shared mission. “While working side by side, we discovered we were stronger together,” said Lee Termini, Board Chair. “We were already delivering a unified effort for our funders, partners, and the people we serve— formalizing that relationship was the natural next step.” Expanded Capacity, Unified Impact Under the merged organization, programs including emergency shelter, clothing assistance, food distribution, furniture provision, and other family-sustaining services now operate under one umbrella, streamlining access for those in need. “This consolidation allows us to expand our outreach and alleviate the impacts of poverty while fostering human dignity and self-sufficiency for more of our neighbors,” said Meghan Loftus, President & CEO. Immediate Impact: Enhanced Thanksgiving Community Program The organization is already demonstrating its increased capacity through expanded partnerships for this year’s 49th Annual Thanksgiving Community Program. Through new collaborations with Meals on Wheels NEPA, Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, and the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Counties, FOTP/CMC will distribute 5,500 meals—an increase of 1,500 from previous years. The week-long 49th Annual Thanksgiving Community Program includes three signature events: Interfaith Prayer Service In collaboration with the Scranton Area Ministerium Friday, November 21 | 6:00 PM Potluck, 7:00 PM Service Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton Thanksgiving Community Dinner for Adults and Elderly Tuesday, November 25 | 2:30 PM–5:30 PM (or until supplies last) Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Avenue at Vine Street Drive-through or walk-up service available *Home delivery for homebound individuals coordinated through Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, registration details forthcoming Family to Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Distribution Wednesday, November 26 | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (or until supplies last) Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Avenue at Vine Street *Limit of four dinners per vehicle *Social service agencies may arrange larger pickups by contacting Linda Robeson at lindarobeson@comcast.net “For 39 years, our Food Basket Program has reached thousands of families during the holidays,” said Linda Robeson, Family to Family Food Basket Program Director. “Last Thanksgiving, we served more than 4,000 local families, and with the community’s continued generosity, we hope to meet that goal again this year. From our families to yours—thank you.”
Drucker & Scaccetti Merges with Armanino Armanino LLP, one of the 20 largest accounting and business consulting firms in the U.S., announced that the partners and employees of Philadelphia-based tax firm Drucker & Scaccetti will join Armanino effective July 1, 2022. Drucker & Scaccetti will carry the Armanino LLP name and will be adding its downtown Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania offices to Armanino as the firm continues to expand its presence nationally and on the East Coast. Armanino opened its New York office in 2021 and this expansion represents a commitment to continue investment across the country. “Drucker & Scaccetti has its finger on the pulse of the market, understands the importance of being ahead of trends and has a 30-year track record of bringing strategy to all their engagements, demonstrating both the curiosity and tenacity anyone would want from an accounting partner,” said Matt Armanino, CEO of Armanino LLP. “They share our values when it comes to putting clients and people first and finding the best solutions to help organizations, making them the perfect fit to expand Armanino’s presence into the region.” Complementing Drucker & Scaccetti’s extensive tax consulting services, Armanino brings a plethora of specialty tax practices, including state and local tax, use tax, R&D tax credits, international tax and more. Clients will also have access to Armanino’s robust audit and risk assurance services that includes everything from financial statements and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance audits to SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, data privacy and cybersecurity. “Since our founding, we’ve prided ourselves on our passionate advocacy on behalf of our clients, and they are who inspire us to constantly ask how we can find better ways to do things and bring forward the best solutions,” said Geoffrey Mesko, partner and board chair at Drucker & Scaccetti. “Armanino shares our drive and vision and has the capabilities to help us best serve our clients with a comprehensive suite of services backed by deep industry knowledge and a focus on client goals.” With the addition of Armanino’s wide-ranging capabilities in consulting, Drucker & Scaccetti clients will have access to a new range of transformative capabilities and software addressing business challenges ranging from outsourced accounting to digital transformation. “Whether we’re helping a client with accounting, human resources or CFO-specific challenges, or whether we’re helping them evolve their technology systems and software, we want to take that journey together with clients and bring them more power and depth. That’s why we’re excited about what Armanino means for us and for the businesses we serve,” said Rosalind Sutch, chief growth officer and partner at Drucker & Scaccetti. Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised both firms on the combination, commented: “Armanino is one of the country’s most admired and respected firms. Their innovation, technology, passion for client excellence, leadership, talent and culture are the ‘gold standard’ that other firms try to emulate. Drucker & Scaccetti is known as Philadelphia’s ‘go-to’ firm when it comes to sophisticated high net worth tax clients and owner operated businesses. They have become a ‘melting pot’ for young, entrepreneurial talent and are known in the marketplace for the brilliant tax and business advice they provide to their clients, making them a perfect fit to help drive Armanino’s continued national expansion.” Armanino’s strong growth is anchored in its pursuit of expanded solutions, technology focus and specialized expertise. The firm has been listed on Inside Public Accounting’s Best of the Best Managed Firms list for 19 out of the last 20 years and is regularly featured in best places to work lists. Armanino is a Certified B Corporation®, committed to balancing people and purpose with profits and helping other organizations do the same. This transaction is scheduled to close on July 1, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.
