With only 9 days to go, it's an exciting time of year, as we gear up for the annual food drive in Belchertown!  On the day of the food drive (Saturday, 1/25/14), volunteers with Belchertown CAN will be outside the doors of Stop &Shop, Checkers, and Dwight Food Mart to collect any food or cash donations that will then be distributed to three local food pantries that serve area residents. We will also be at the Belchertown Town Hall, where anyone could drop off food or cash to benefit these food pantries. With funds cut to food banks, food drives such as this are severely needed. Please consider joining us in any way that you can offer help.

Which Food Pantries does this food drive serve?

• St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, http://www.stfrancisbtown.org/
• Christ Community Church (Dwight Chapel), http://www.dwightchapel.org/
• United Church of Christ, http://www.belchertownucc.org/
• Amherst Survival Center, http://amherstsurvival.org/

Have you ever seen the film "A Place at the Table"? It is eye-opening about how people are affected by hunger. Yes, even in the United States! We are showing the film at Town Hall on Saturday, January 25, during the food drive. We have two showings: 11:00am and 1:30pm. 

Even if you can only help for an hour, the help goes a  long way! Stop in before or after your shift, get a snack and a warm drink, and watch the film with us. 


Here's what YOU can do to help out:

Step 1: Email one of our two coordinators for volunteers to get your shift. Even better, sign up with a friend, or your family, and bring the (older) kids to help out, too!

Sue Darmochwat (btfolks@aol.com) or Pat Barry (p50barry@aol.com)

Step 2: Get dressed for being outside, in case your shift is at one of the drop-off locations.

Step 3: Help greet the friendly faces of Belchertown, let them know that we are collecting for the local food pantries, and food and cash donations are greatly appreciated.

Step 4: When your shift is over, know that you have DONE something that helps so many people in your local area. You may be surprised by the number of people you actually know who get help at these pantries.

Can't volunteer that day? We can still use your help! If you are able to make a cash or food donation, you can drop either (or both!) off at the following places that are supporting this event. For cash, look for the "CAN cans"! We will post more info soon to give you the full list of locations that will have these cans ready for your cash donations. Keep checking back with us! 

If you're on Google+, please +1 this blog and share with all your friends on your favorite social media.