Assistant Director Meg Raggio (left) and Director Sally Munson with Our Community Food Pantry are asking for the community’s help to stock this shelf to prepare for the holiday season.
Reminder Publishing file photo
SOUTHWICK — With the expectation that the need will be greater during the holiday season, Our Community Food Pantry has already started its Thanksgiving food drive.
“We were hoping for some relief from the high food prices, but we’re just not seeing it,” said Assistant Director Meg Raggio.
In fact, she said, the prices of many staples have not only not decreased in price but increased.
“They just don’t seem to be coming down,” she said about the prices of groceries.
And the need is increasing, even over the past several months in Southwick, Granville and Tolland, the communities the pantry serves.
“We’re seeing eight to 10 new families every month,” Raggio said, adding that the pantry serves about 140 families each month.
And nearly all are families with one or two working adults but still need the pantry to supplant their food needs, she said.
The pantry is also starting early because over the last two years, while the number of food donations has remained relatively stable, the pantry is seeing smaller quantities.
“We want get out in front to make sure those who need assistance will get it,” said Kathy Cook, the chair of the pantry’s board of directors.
It’s even harder, she said, for elderly people who live on fixed incomes.
“It can be very difficult for them,” Cook said.
To make it easier for each family and client, the pantry is requesting donations of boxed turkey stuffing, turkey gravy packets, canned cranberry sauce, cake mix, and canned frosting.
The centerpiece of the family holiday celebration is the turkey. This year, as in previous years, turkeys are being donated by the Southwick Episcopal Church, whose small congregation now meets in Southwick Congregational Church.
“They’ve been great, and they don’t even have a church now,” Raggio said.
This year for Thanksgiving each family and client will also receive 5 pounds of potatoes, which are donated by the Feldman Farm, a second-generation family farm that specializes in fall vegetables.
Also included in each Thanksgiving package will be 3 pounds of fresh vegetables, to include carrots, butternut or acorn squash, and 3 pounds of onions, which the pantry will purchase.
The pantry is estimating it will need enough food to serve 150 families, which is about 45 pounds of food per family, or about 6,700 pounds for all those who will be served.
The pantry always makes pick up day, which will be Monday, Nov. 24, a festive experience and this year is no different, but with a small change — pick-ups will be inside the pantry.
“We’re still working out the details, but we’re going to make it an event,” Raggio said.
The pantry is accepting sign-ups for the Thanksgiving meal through Nov. 20. The meals will be delivered or can be picked up on Monday, Nov. 24.
Every family or individual who meets the eligibility requirements will be served. To determine eligibility, or to help, call 413-569-9886 or visit ourcommunityfoodpantry.org, email directors@admin.community-food-pantry.org, or visit the pantry’s Facebook page.
Cook and Raggio also thanked all the community’s gardeners and farmers that participated in the Plant A Row program this summer.
“We had a wonderful summer for the Plant a Row program,” Raggio said, adding that last week was the first time the pantry has needed to buy produce for their clients since late June.
And just like every other family struggling with high food costs, so does the pantry.
That’s why it is has two fundraisers during the holiday season, the first starting on Nov. 1 and continuing through Nov. 7 is called the Grateful Gathering Auction 2 to raise money for the Thanksgiving dinner.
“We’re inviting our amazing neighbors, local businesses, and friends of the pantry to come together for a fantastic cause: helping families in our community enjoy nourishing meals this Thanksgiving,” Cook said when first announcing the fundraiser. “The funds raised will go directly toward our annual Thanksgiving distribution on Nov. 24, a time when we get to lend a helping hand to those in need.”
The auction will be held on the Our Community Food Pantry’s Facebook page.
Cook explained how the auction will be conducted.
Starting on Oct. 27, the pantry will post clear, detailed photos and descriptions of all the donated items, which gives participants time to browse, ask questions, and consider bids, she said.
The auction features an array of donations from all local businesses and the generous Friends of the Pantry. She said participants can expect gift cards, unique handmade crafts, themed baskets, and more.
She said the pantry has reached out to nearly businesses in town to provide items, and they did not disappoint.
“All of the auction items will have been donated by the community,” she said.
Cook also explained how the bidding process will work.
She said each auction item will have a dedicated Facebook post and each will clearly state the starting bid and the bidding increment. To participate, simply place your bid as a comment below the item’s post by following the instructions provided.
Once bidding closes, at noon, Friday, Nov. 7, the pantry staff will declare the winner in the comments section. Winners will be contacted directly for the next steps regarding payment and pickup.
The pantry’s second fundraising auction before the new year will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Roma’s Restaurant and will feature a new wrinkle for a traditional auction and it involves quarters — the 25-cent coin.
Those who participate will be given paddles to use when bidding on items, and here’s the wrinkle; every time a person makes a bid on an item, they must put a quarter in a container.
All the quarters in the container will be donated to the pantry.
“This is new for us and hoping to see a great turnout,” Cook said.
She said the pantry’s volunteer staff will have several gift baskets that will be auctioned off including items offered by vendors who will attend the event.
Cook also wanted to alert residents in the communities the pantry serves that they will soon receive the pantry’s annual appeal letter.
This summer the pantry released an educational video to explain its mission, needs, and reaffirm to the community it is a standalone organization that relies solely on the charity of those who want to make a difference for those who are less fortunate.
Cook asked the community to check out the video, which can be seen here and here, highlights the daily impact of the pantry and introduces to the community a few of the dedicated volunteers who keep it running and allows them to share their reasons to help.
For more information on the pantry’s programs, visit ourcommunityfoodpantry.org or call 413-569-9876.
The pantry, located at 222 College Highway, is a 501c3 nonprofit. All donations are tax deductible.
