WESTFIELD-Two local artisans are hoping that a fall craft fair they are coordinating will also help fill the shelves of the Westfield Food Pantry.
For best friends Gail Cortis and Jane Welch, the time spent on coordinating the Artisans and Crafters for Hunger Fall Craft Fair is a labor of love.
Jane Welch and Gail Cortis are coordinating logistics for the Artisans and Crafters for Hunger Fall Craft Fair. In the background are some of the items that will be offered for sale – birdhouses, teepees for felines, “Alley Cats,” seasonal ceramics, unique bowls and fleece blankets.
Cortis said she understands the needs of the community because her husband Alan has served as president of the board of directors of the Westfield Food Pantry.
“There is always a need and all donations received at the craft fair will stay here for our pantry,” said Cortis.
Both women recently talked with Rebecca Hart, director, Westfield Food Pantry, to determine the best nonperishable food items to donate.
Welch noted that the list includes spaghetti sauce, macaroni, cereal, rice, soups and instant potatoes, as well as crackers, baked beans, peanut butter, jelly, coffee, hot chocolate and tea.
“We ask everyone before dropping off a donation at the designated tent to please check the expiration dates,” said Welch.
The craft fair is planned Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street. Vendors will be set up in the Great Hall and on the lawn. The event will be conducted rain or shine.
“We already have 36 vendors participating and vendors are still welcome to participate since the deadline is at 8 a.m. on Sept. 24,” said Cortis, noting that spaces are now only available on the lawn.
The cost to vendors is $30 for the space plus five nonperishable food items or a check for $5 to the Westfield Food Pantry.
Both women noted that the vendors will have a variety of gifts for sale – ideal for any occasion and especially for someone who is already working on their holiday gift list.
“Expect to see unique wreaths, jewelry, funny bunnies, fairy gardens, rag rugs, wood crafts, pottery, baked goods, birdbaths and birdhouse gourds,” said Cortis, who specializes in creating “Alley Cats,” teepee’s for felines, and hot and cold aromatherapy packs.
For Welch, her specialty is ceramics and is introducing hand tied fleece blankets in three sizes and fleece pocketbooks. Additionally, Welch’s husband Bill will be displaying decorative birdhouses made of burl wood which is created when a growing tree experiences stress.
“The result is a unique and beautiful pattern that is not otherwise present in the wood,” said Welch.
Cortis said many of the artisans are from the Greater Springfield area, but others are coming from Turners Falls, Pittsfield and Wendell.
“Gail and I have been best friends for years and have also enjoyed doing craft fairs together for a long time,” said Welch. “We hope our effort to bring people together will also encourage others to make a nonperishable food donation to the food pantry.”
For area residents unable to attend the craft fair, the women noted that monetary donation jars are also set up at the Country Mart on Little River Road, at People’s Bank on East Main Street, and at Westfield Feed on Union Street.
“We raised $1,200 last year at the craft fair as well as collected nonperishable food items so we hope this year we continue to do even better,” said Cortis. “We do this event from the bottom of our hearts.”
