WESTFIELD-The friends that Maria Proietti has made by volunteering at the Brown Bag: Food for Elders program at the Westfield Senior Center over the years are now considered her “sisters and brothers.”
Thomas Leporati arrives with foodstuffs at the Westfield Senior Center on Tuesday morning for the monthly “Brown Bag” distribution program.
Proietti was among more than 10 volunteers on Tuesday morning who helped unload the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts truck around 10 a.m. and then started an assembly line where each person would place a food item in the grocery bag for the senior citizens that were patiently waiting in line outside of the conference room. By the end of the morning distribution, 192 brown bags had been stuffed.
The Brown Bag is a monthly bag of groceries for seniors offered in 50 towns in Western Massachusetts. On Tuesday, the bags were filled with bran flakes, chunk light tuna, kernel corn, kidney beans, peanut butter, elbow pasta, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, mixed vegetables and a carton of Natrel milk.
Thomas Leporati, driver for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, drops off a pallet at the entrance to the Westfield Senior Center on Tuesday morning.
“I’m so appreciative of the volunteers who work so hard each month to ensure the food distribution goes smoothly,” said Karen Noblit, senior benefits coordinator, Westfield Senior Center. “It is a real community effort of seniors helping fellow residents and their neighbors who are less fortunate.”
For persons age 55 and older and living on a limited income, the Brown Bag Program offers a healthy mix of protein, vegetables, fruits, dairy and grains, as well as fresh produce in the growing season.
Curtis Tuttle, in foreground, was among the many volunteers Tuesday morning stuffing the brown bags for the monthly Food Bank distribution program.
Barbara Coleman was the first volunteer to arrive around 9 a.m. and said she has been stuffing the brown bags for more than seven years.
“I like to volunteer to help out wherever I can,” said Coleman. “Helping people makes me feel good.”
Reggie and Edward Ekmalian, who have been volunteering for five years, echoed those sentiments.
“It’s fun to volunteer plus we know we are helping the community,” said Reggie Ekmalian.
“Volunteering gives us a way to give back and we know it is appreciated,” added Edward Ekmalian.
Edward and Reggie Ekmalian were among the volunteers on Tuesday morning stuffing brown bags for seniors waiting outside the conference room of the Westfield Senior Center.
Robert Hullivan has also been volunteering for approximately five years, and is one of the first men to help unload the Food Bank truck.
“When you volunteer you are part of a team here,” said Hullivan. “I would encourage others to consider volunteering.”
Bette Warren, a two-year volunteer, also enjoys the camaraderie found among the volunteers.
“It’s important to get out and help people,” said Warren, adding, “the people here are so nice and I enjoy talking to people.”
The majority of the volunteers are retired and have made new friends over the years volunteering during the Brown Bag Program.
The volunteers at the Brown Bag Program distribution at the Westfield Senior Center have the assembly line process down to a science.
“Volunteering here is a great idea because it gets you out of the house and you meet nice people,” said Frank Woodard. “I have made a lot of friends through volunteering and we are all doing a good thing for other people.”
David Bishop, a 10-year volunteer, also enjoys the company of the volunteers who are part of the assembly line.
“There’s a need in our community and by volunteering we help with the distribution and meet great people at the same time,” said Bishop.
John Haley also enjoys the fast-paced environment of the distribution process.
Jason Phillips, a senior this fall at Westfield State University, is interning this summer and one of his projects is volunteering at the Brown Bag Program distribution at the Westfield Senior Center.
“We have a lot of fun and I especially enjoy working with everyone,” said Haley.
Kathy Millas, who also serves as treasurer of the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center, said she has been volunteering for the Brown Bag Program for more than a year.
“I like helping people and this program is very important to local residents,” said Millas.
Curtis Tuttle concurred.
“We all do what we can to help people and it makes me feel good to volunteer,” said Tuttle.
Jason Phillips, who will be starting his senior year at Westfield State University this fall, is currently completing an internship and this was his first Brown Bag Program.
“I enjoy helping out and I know how important it is to volunteer,” said Phillips, adding he also volunteers his time at the Westfield Soup Kitchen.
For persons interested in signing up for the Brown Bag Program or to volunteer, contact Noblit weekdays at (413) 562-6435 for more details.
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On a related note, Marian Zeiss, community care adviser with Highland Valley Elder Services, and Laura Clifford, a Food Bank volunteer, had an SUV adjacent to the Food Bank truck since they were collecting foodstuffs for the 60 bags they would be assembling later in the morning for residents of the Washington House.
Marian Zeiss, community care adviser for Highland Valley Elder Services, and a Food Bank volunteer, Laura Clifford, pack an SUV with foodstuffs destined for 60 residents at the Washington House.
“We are always looking for volunteers who can help us with our food distribution programs too,” said Zeiss. “Volunteers can call me at (413) 568-2909 for more information.”
