Westfield Food Pantry volunteer Trisha Wysockli distributes meals to a family April 11, 2020. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Making sure everyone has food is a priority for the Westfield Food Pantry and Food Bank.
To ensure no one goes without dinner on Saturday nights, the Pantry is offering meals to go from 5-6 p.m. in the Church of the Atonement parking lot.
“We saw that there were no meal options in the city on the weekend and wanted to help bridge any gaps,” said Pantry volunteer Robin Cooley.
This Saturday, participants will receive a chicken breast sandwich, chips, fruit, dessert and beverage.
“Anyone can come get dinner,” Cooley said. “We don’t want anyone to be hungry.”
Colley said in addition to the complete meal offered on Saturday, there will be pre-made bags of groceries available.
The Westfield Food Pantry is temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak and Cooley said they have food on their shelves that they want to distribute to families in need.
Westfield Food Pantry volunteers Robin Cooley and Trisha Wysocki sort through meals-to-go before distributing them at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement April 11, 2020. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 36 Court St., Westfield.
“They just want to get food in people’s homes,” said Cooley.
The bags include pantry staples such as peanut butter, cereal, rice and more.
Meals will be offered for free every Saturday throughout the order to stay at home. Cooley said a volunteer created a crowd funding page and has raised more than $2,500. The funds will be used to support local restaurants, which will provide the meals some Saturdays. Two weeks ago, with support from state Rep. John C. Velis, Richard’s Grinders provided the dinners.
Cooley said there is no pre-registration required. Anyone in need of a meal should simply drive into the Church of the Atonement parking lot at the corner of Pleasant and Court streets between 5-6 p.m. Saturdays and pick up meals to go and a bag of groceries.
