Empire City partnered with various nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders who distributed the backpacks to students. Though Empire City sits within Westchester County borders, it is located less than two miles from the borough of the Bronx, where nearly a third of its workforce resides. “Academic success in the new school year is partly dependent on preparation and ensuring students have the needed supplies to give them a strong start is critical,” said Taryn Duffy, vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts Northeast Group.Īs a result of inflation, families with children of elementary to high school ages are spending an average of $890.07 per student this year, according to the National Retail Federation.Įmpire City expanded its backpack donation this year to support more students in Yonkers, Mount Vernon and the Bronx. Charitable organizations throughout the region have been the recipients of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and in-kind donations from the company, along with employee volunteer hours. MGM Resorts acquired Empire City Casino in January 2019 and has continued its commitment to corporate social responsibility long associated with the entertainment destination.

The backpack donation is part of Empire City’s ongoing commitment to supporting public educational programs in local communities, one of four philanthropic pillars that make up MGM Resorts’ enterprise-wide philanthropic initiative, “ Focused on What Matters.” L to R: City of Yonkers Backpack Drive, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts employees with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. Photo by Tatiana DiazĮmpire City Casino by MGM Resorts (‘Empire City’) announced a donation of more than 1,000 backpacks to Westchester and Bronx students to support educational equity for the new school year.

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