SOUTHWICK – The Our Community Food Pantry is still encouraging the public to attend their benefit fundraiser on November 15 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Westfield River Brewery.
The beer tasting fundraiser will also feature a baked potato bar, craft meats, and live music by Sam Chevalier and Jeff Roberts. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the event, with all of the proceeds going back to the Our Community Food Pantry.
There will be an opportunity for people to earn raffle prizes, including a 50-inch flat-screen television, a treasure chest filled with gift cards, wine, homemade blankets, and more. Last year was the first time the non-profit hosted this event and were able to raise approximately $1,400.
The Our Community Food Pantry had success with the first beer tasting event last year at the Westfield River Brewery. (Photo from Betty Murphy)
The fundraiser is to help the Our Community Food Pantry raise money for their operating costs. A non-profit organization that is not funded by the state nor the towns, the Our Community Food Pantry pays for their operating costs through fundraising or grants.
Betty Murphy, who’s on the Board of Directors for the pantry that serves Southwick, Tolland, and Granville, mentioned that 50 tickets have already been sold in advance. Murphy noted that less tickets were sold in advance for last year’s event and about 35 tickets were sold at the door.
“We’re hoping to get a lot of people at the door,” said Murphy.
The pantry’s hope is that around 100 tickets will be sold and people come out to support the pantry and what it provides.
“We know it’s a good cause and people will enjoy themselves,” said Murphy. “We just hope we have a good showing.”
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 located at 220 College Hwy in Southwick.
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. Our Community Food Pantry received $93,500 for a high-roof van for both Southwick and Granville. The van has been in service with the pantry since this past February.
