Columbia's Community Service Appeal (CCS) has closed the books on its 54th Annual Appeal with contributions, raised in large part from faculty and staff of Columbia, Barnard and Teachers College, totaling $242,000 and a dozen new service organizations submitting grant applications.

"This is the most we've ever raised. The rise in grant applications suggests that agencies and others are aware of the good work CCS does," said Larry Dais, assistant vice president for Public Affairs and director of Community Affairs. "And with predictions of an economic downturn, there seems to be more need in the community, with agencies operating at the margin requiring CCS's help more than ever."

The money raised will go directly to organizations serving the diverse members of Columbia's surrounding communities, reaching area children, youth, adults and seniors.

For eight years St. Mary's Soup Kitchen on West 126th Street has received help in the form of grants from CCS. Every Monday evening at St. Mary's nearly 150 people, both homeless and living in a precarious state, find hot, nutritious helpings and warm, helping hands. The Soup Kitchen relies heavily on grants to sustain its program.

Historically contributions increase with each campaign. The 54th Appeal continued in this tradition, with Barnard and Teachers College reporting record donations totaling $11,911 and $6, 719, respectively. And several departments at Columbia reflected donor participation of 50 percent and above, among them the Office of University Investments, Office of the Vice President of Finance, Office of the President, Office of Public Affairs, Office of the Executive Vice President of Administration and the Ombuds Office.

"I have been inspired by the generosity of the people at Columbia," said David Leebron, president of CCS and dean of the School of Law. "Giving to CCS demonstrates the strong commitment of all of us to being a positive force in our community."

CCS was conceived in the wake of World War II. During the war, the Columbia University Committee for War Relief made contributions to the United States' war effort, including contributions to the American Red Cross. After the war, the group began to focus on helping the local community, leading to the formation of the CCS in 1946.

President George Rupp led this year's campaign with assistance from co-chairs President Arthur Levine of Teachers College, Acting President and Provost Elizabeth S. Boylan of Barnard, Richard Naum, vice president of University Development and Alumni Relations, and Martha Howell, Columbia professor of history.