SOUTHWICK – Southwick Boy Scout Troop #114, with the assistance of local Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Venture Scouts, will fan out across town on Nov. 14 to deliver “hang tags” on door knobs to close to 3,000 homes for its annual food drive.
“We expect to reach every household starting at 9 a.m.,” said Scoutmaster Todd Westcott.
Westcott said it is always “heartwarming” to watch the community come together to help those less fortunate – especially donating food items for one’s Thanksgiving table.
“We all do our part to help others and for Our Community Food Pantry,” he said, noting the Scouts have conducted food drives for more than 30 years.
On the evening of Nov. 5, Scouts and their leaders stopped by the food pantry to meet Sally Munson, one of the directors. Munson showed the scouts the shelves they will help fill from their selfless efforts.
“This is always a wonderful start to our winter season,” said Munson, adding that last year through the Scouts’ efforts, 8,000 pounds of food was collected.
“The food collected provided approximately 3,600 meals,” said Munson.
Munson said the food pantry was established in 2011 when the Town of Southwick Coalition lost its funding.
“Our Community Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization overseen by a board of directors that relies on donations, grants and fundraising,” she said.
During the past four years, Munson said the program has grown from serving 35 families to more than 272 income-eligible families.
“We are continuing to see an increase in the number of families we service monthly, continually making changes to accommodate the needs,” she said.
Munson, and her team of volunteers, have also taken the program from handing out a box of nonperishable food to a “client choice model.”
“Our clients get to visit monthly to shop for a variety of products including eggs, cheese, meat products and groceries based on family size,” said Munson. “They also get to shop weekly for fresh produce, baked products and any extras we can provide.”
In 2014, Munson said the food pantry was able to distribute 96,000 pounds of food.
“This year we have already exceeded that with our two busiest months ahead of us,” she said.
For Eagle Scout Jack MacWilliams, 17, his 10 years in scouting has included participating in the annual food drive.
“Collecting food for people who need it is a great thing we do in the troop,” he said.
Brandon Franklin, 15, who has been in scouting for nine years, echoed those sentiments.
“The food drive is a tradition and it is nice to see the generosity of others,” said Franklin.
Phillip Hall, 12, a scout for five years, also looks forward to the food drive.
“The food drive helps people who don’t have a lot of money or luck on their side,” said Hall. “It feels nice that others come to help.”
Of course, it takes a village to ensure that the food drive is successful and Scouts are led by Westcott, Dean Sleeper, assistant Scoutmaster, Andy Reardon, assistant Scout leader, Vinnie Abbondanza, assistant Scout leader, and Beth Crowley and Elizabeth Hall, food drive coordinators. Additionally, the troop has an event committee that includes Joanne Duval, Vinnie Abbondanza, Tim and Chantel Small, Jim and Beth Crowley and John Ponte, who assist the scouts on projects throughout the year, and Gayle Franklin serves as the troop’s advancement chairperson.
On Nov. 21, Scouts will return to the homes where hang tags were left to pick up any donations that are left curbside. Donations can also be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Community Food Pantry, 220 College Highway. The food pantry is operated by Church of Christ.
Current troop members include Domenic Abbondanza, Joe Cronin, Jameson Crowley, Austin Davis, Cole Duval, Grayson Duval, Tyler Flagg, Brandon Franklin, Jarod Grant, Phillip Hall, Joshua Hill, Ian Lemieux, Jack MacWilliams, Jeremy Mullen, Nicholas Mullen, Brandon Schmidt, Cory Small, Cote Small and Josh Sutton.
“Troop #114 would like to thank the individuals and businesses who have supported the troop and our many functions throughout this past year and all of those in advance for their donations, including Hilltown Pork, Inc., A&R Auto Glass, Village Pizza, Olympic Fastening Systems, Big Y of Southwick, Dunkin Donuts, Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts, Jimmy’s Pizza, Southwick Fire Department and the Southwick Police Department,” said Westcott.
For more information on the food drive, contact the food pantry at (413) 569-9876 or via email to [email protected].
“The mission of Our Community Food Pantry is to feed the hungry in the three towns of Southwick, Granville and Tolland, never turning away a family in need,” said Munson.
Following the Nov. 21 food collection, a community spaghetti dinner is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Southwick Congregational Church. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and young people.
