WESTFIELD–The Westfield School System, in conjunction with the Westfield Food Pantry, Westfield State University and their radio station WSKB 89.5FM, will be holding a food drive Nov. 14, to help provide Thanksgiving dinners to families in need in Westfield.
School superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, along with several WSKB radio personalities, will be at the Tiger’s Pride Restaurant at Westfield Technical Academy from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. broadcasting live to help raise awareness and gather food. They are looking for a variety of food donations, as well as gift cards to local grocery stores to help meet demands. 
“We have a significant number of students and families that are economically disadvantaged and may not have what’s needed,” Czaporowski said. “We currently have 35 requests for dinners but we expect it to go up.”
Czaporowski said that they are looking for traditional Thanksgiving food donations, including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, desserts and canned goods. Additionally, if gift cards are donated the group will go out and purchase whatever else is needed.
RALPH FIGY
Czaporowski said that if the drive comes up short, the Westfield Food Pantry promised to fulfill the rest of what is required. However, if the food drive exceeds expectations, then the excess will be given to the Westfield Food Pantry.
In addition to donations for Thanksgiving, Czaporowski said that they will be accepting other food and toiletry donations due to the year-round need of many families and students.
Czaporowski said the project is being headed by Westfield Ward 2 City Councilor Ralph Figy and his wife, Sue, who will be helping to keep the project on task.
For those who want to donate, stop by the Tiger’s Pride restaurant between 6 a.m. and noon. And if you want to help in other ways or cannot make it to donate at that time, contact Czaporowski at [email protected] and see what you can do to help.
