SOUTHWICK – The benefit fundraiser hosted by the Our Community Food Pantry at the Westfield River Brewery last Thursday has been deemed a success by the organizers.
According to Sally Munson, the Director of the Our Community Food Pantry, just over $2,000 was raised from the event. Over 104 tickets were sold, which is about 20 to 25 more tickets sold than last year’s fundraiser.
Sam Chevalier and Jeff Roberts are shown performing live music for the event. (Photo by Marie Daniels)
With an impending snowstorm occurring the night of the event, the food pantry was very pleased with the outcome.
“Due to the weather, we were really surprised we had a lot of people,” said Betty Murphy, who’s on the Board of Directors on the pantry. “We just got really good community support.”
The community support and the money raised only helps the food pantry moving forward.
“We rely totally on fundraising and donations,” said Munson. “Operating costs are very important to us.”
The Our Community Food Pantry offers food to families and other people in need. Anyone that’s interested in receiving food, can go to the pantry headquarters on 220 College Hwy in Southwick.
The pantry has received aid in the past. In August of 2016, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that they were awarding $28 million in Community Development Block grants to 57 communities throughout Massachusetts. The grant for the Our Community Food Pantry totaled $93,500 which was used for a high-roof van for both Southwick and Granville. The van has been in service with the pantry since this past February.
