ABOVE: A volunteer restocks shelves at the Baldwinsville Food Pantry, one of two recipients of the Thanksgiving Food Drive. The other is the Baldwinsville Rotary’s Backpack program.
Annual event projected to raise over $60,000 in food for community members
Parishioners sort food donated to stock the Baldwinsville Food Pantry. Submitted photos
The linked Baldwinsville parishes of St. Augustine, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Mary of the Assumption, along with the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club, recently announced they will again partner to sponsor the Turkey Day Race Food Drive already underway.
This seventh-annual food drive raises both food and funds to benefit the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry, which provides food to approximately 100 families per month, as well as the Baldwinsville Rotary’s Backpack program, which supplements meal programs and family food pantry contributions with breakfast and snack items specifically for children.
Last year, the drive raised $58,000 and is anticipated to raise more this year. “We have seen a growing response each year to our food drive, and this year, with food costs having increased, the need within our community has grown,” said Amy Casper, program coordinator. “With that, we also anticipate an even greater response from our parishioners and community as we have experienced so many times before when we have come together to serve those in need.”
The community is invited to participate in this year’s food drive by filling a shopping bag with food from a list of the most requested, non-perishable food items from the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry and the Baldwinsville Rotary’s Backpack program.
Parishioners sort food donated to stock the Baldwinsville Food Pantry. Submitted photos
Tops shopping bags and food lists are available at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, located at 47 Syracuse St.; St. Augustine’s Church, located at 7333 O’Brien Road; or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, located at 3494 Rt. 31 in Baldwinsville.
Once purchased, bagged food can be returned at several Baldwinsville collection sites, including any of the three parishes, Fleet Feet, located at 4136 Rt. 31, Clay; or Baker High School, located at 29 E. Oneida St., at select dates and times between Nov. 10 and Thanksgiving Day.
Food lists, collection site dates and times can also be found online at www.tdrfooddrive.org.
