Members of Beta Sigma Phi helped make the Easter baskets that were delivered to local food pantries. (Photo from Beta Sigma Phi)
WESTFIELD – Families and children in the Westfield and Southwick area will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Easter for this upcoming Sunday.
Beta Sigma Phi, which is an international organization that promotes friendships and education for women ages 18 years old to senior citizens, has a chapter in Westfield.
Making Easter baskets for more than 15 years, the Westfield Chapter has delivered to several places in need, like the Springfield Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army in Westfield.
This year, the 17 women from the community-based club made 44 Easter baskets. One half of them went to the Westfield Food Pantry, and the other 22 went to the Our Community Food Pantry in Southwick.
On Tuesday, all of the baskets were sent to both food pantries so they will now have the opportunity to be scooped up by a family before they celebrate the holiday on Sunday.
“We’re so happy that they’re going to be able to be distributed,” said Virginia Hebert, who is a member of the Westfield chapter.
The Easter baskets feature a variety of appealing gifts for children, with different types of candy and toys for both boys and girls.
Sally Munson, who is the Director of the Our Community Food Pantry in Southwick, was glad to have Beta Sigma Phi make Easter baskets again.
“This is the second year they’ve done this and this is absolutely wonderful,” said Munson. “We’re extremely grateful.”
With Our Community Food Pantry having a high volume of children as customers, Munson said they have handed out the baskets to children that are ages one to seven years old. But, to make sure no family is left out during Easter, all children stopping at the food pantry get bags of food with cookies and candy.
The Westfield Food Pantry also has a great amount of families that come to their building.
According to Westfield Food Pantry Director Rebecca Hart, the pantry serves over 1,200 people a month, and 51% of them are children.
“We’re just so excited to be able to do something special for our families that we don’t get to normally do,” said Hart.
In order to find out more about Beta Sigma Phi or the Westfield chapter, call Hebert at 413-568-8770.
