Sue and Ralph Figy are once again at the helm of the Thanksgiving food drive on Monday, Nov. 19 at Westfield Technical Academy.
WESTFIELD – On Monday, Nov. 19, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., local radio station WSKB 89.5 will be broadcasting live from Westfield Technical Academy’s Tiger’s Pride restaurant to collect items for Westfield Public School’s food pantries and annual Thanksgiving meal donations. To drop off a donated items, enter by the Tiger’s Pride and gymnasium door. A planned drop off Friday afternoon has been cancelled due to school closure and snow.
Sue Figy, who along with her husband Ralph Figy help to coordinate the drive, said last year they were able to provide Thanksgiving meals for 213 families. Among the specific items most needed, besides turkeys, are gravy mix packets or cans, stuffing mix, cans of green beans and dried onion rings, cream of mushroom soup, butter, and cake boxes or brownie mixes for a dessert. Sue Figy said gift cards to any of the food stores are welcome, because they can purchase any items they still need.
The drive is coordinated with the schools in the district, who identify families who might need help with their Thanksgiving meal. On Monday, volunteers in an assembly line will pack bags for families with four to fourteen members. Ralph Figy said last year they packed for three of the largest families.
Volunteers will then deliver the meals to the schools, who will be arranging for the families to come and pick them up, or make other arrangements. Ralph Figy said Westfield Middle School Principal Paul Newton will be making deliveries all day on Wednesday.
Any leftover food will be shared among the food pantries in the schools and other organizations, such as Our House, the shelter for homeless teens. Besides Thanksgiving meal donations, other items with a long shelf life such as pasta, cereal and personal care items are also welcome.
The Figys said this year, once again, the community is stepping up. The Centennial Lions Club held a golf tournament and raised l$1,000 to the drive. President Kyle Pierce and members will also be volunteering to help.
Thrifty Car Sales also held a drive with their employees, and together came close to that amount. Other generous donors have already included Caldwell Banker of Westfield, Firtion Adams Funeral Home, Polish National Credit Union and Advanced Manufacturing. The Westfield Food Pantry donated 75 turkeys, and the Mansfield Paper Company gave 200 turkey trays.
“It’s all about giving back to the community. This all stays in Westfield,” Sue Figy said, adding if a family is in need they can call their school, or if someone knows a family in need, they can also call.
“It’s always nice to see the Westfield community come together to support a worthy cause in such a positive manner,” Ralph Figy said.
