NORTHAMPTON — A local Northampton business is once again joining forces with the community to help a major social service in the city.
Telebelle Salon, a private hair studio located at 25 Main St. Suite 443 in Northampton, is hosting the third annual “Sal’s Food Drive” until Sept. 30 to collect unexpired, non-perishable food items for the Northampton Survival Center.
Juls Marchetto, the owner and master stylist for Telebelle, said that last year’s drive drew 650 pounds of food and around $500 in monetary donations. She said she hopes this year exceeds that mark.
“Each year we aim to beat the year before, and more importantly collect as much as we can to help and serve our community,” Marchetto said.
The food drive started in 2022 as a way for Marchetto to help the community while simultaneously honoring her father Salvatore Persico, who passed away in 2020.
In an interview two years ago, Marchetto said she grew up in a large Italian family where her father’s love language was food and togetherness. He loved making pasta, meatballs, pepperoni bread and he also participated in the “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” a famous Italian American Christmas Eve celebration with dishes of fish and other seafood. He also celebrated Marchetto’s birthday with her own favorite dish of fettuccine alfredo.
Marchetto said when people did not have a place to stay or congregate for the holidays, her father was the first person to invite them over.
“I think sort of circling back to that, and just having food never be an issue for me and my family … and my dad’s desire to just bring people together and gather, and cook and provide, was just sort of this all-encompassing way to check all the boxes of what I was trying to do,” said Marchetto. “It’s also giving my clients an opportunity to help out and fill a need and their desire to give back, but maybe not know how too.”
All types of unexpired non-perishable food items are welcome, but the most requested items at the survival center are vegetarian foods, cooking oil, coffee, cereal, granola and many more.
Marchetto said customers can drop their items off when they have appointments. Those who do not have an appointment or are not customers can drop items off at their convenience. The general business hours at Telebelle are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
A donation box will also be available outside the salon so people can drop off their items anytime or day.
Those looking to donate can also arrange a time with Marchetto to drop items off or for a pick-up time if people are unable to venture out: JulsMarchetto@telebelle.com or 413-896-0264.
“We’re so grateful to Juls of Telebelle for organizing this food drive every year to support the Northampton Survival Center,” said Heidi Nortonsmith, the Northampton Survival Center executive director, in a statement. “Community food drives serve a number of important purposes for us — not only do they bring in a wonderful variety of healthy foods for our clients to choose from, but they also amplify the message that the Survival Center is here for folks if they hit hard times and need some help. And broadening our reach helps bring in new donors and new volunteers. A great win-win-win all around.”
