By LORI SZEPELAK
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – On the morning of Aug. 7, Westfield Food Pantry volunteers were busy assembling bags of food staples and greeting everyone who came through the door with a smile.
Barbara Bogac, a five-year volunteer who was handling registration, said the “Friday Crew” works well together and she relishes the opportunity in her retirement to help others in need.
“People are very thankful and sometimes apologetic that they have to come to the food pantry,” said Bogac. “We tell everyone – that’s what we’re here for – to help.”
The “Friday crew,” Bogac, Rob Bristow, and Jeff Castonguay, have their routines down and don’t miss a beat when the doors open and individuals come in.
“I’ve never understood why people have to be hungry,” said Castonguay, a self-employed medical transcriptionist. “We all really like working here and it’s a great way to give back to the community.”
Castonguay, a volunteer for five years, assembles and distributes bags of food during pantry hours on Thursday nights and Friday mornings, and also picks up bread and desserts from Big Y Foods and Stop & Shop on weekends.
Joining Castonguay in the distribution area on Fridays is Bristow, a professor in the geography and planning department at Westfield State University.
“I enjoy helping out since I have the time with my flexible schedule,” said Bristow, who has been volunteering since 2008. “Food is a basic need and there is a need for this service in the city and I’m fortunate to be in a position to give back to the community.”
Rebecca Hart, director of the Westfield Food Pantry, commended her volunteers for their years of service and their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
“I love my job because of the people I work with, the volunteers, as well as the clients I interact with,” said Hart. “It’s like a family here.”
Hart noted that during the summer the shelves tend to get depleted due to donors being on vacation and students are home. “Summer is hard for us,” she said.
Currently, in addition to basic staples being needed to fill the shelves, Hart is also hoping that some area residents might want to consider becoming a volunteer this fall.
“Our volunteers usually commit two to three hours a week in a variety of roles, from working at the pantry, or in a community garden, or serving on the board,” said Hart.
“Most of our volunteers have served for more than six years,” she said. “We always make sure the role is the right fit for an individual.”
Hart added that four or five new volunteers would be helpful to assist the 24 volunteers who are currently instrumental in ensuring the pantry production runs smoothly.
For more information on volunteering opportunities, contact Hart at (413) 572-0802 or via e-mail to [email protected].
