By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Region – Each fall, the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce holds a food drive to benefit the food pantries in its member communities of Grafton, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, and Westborough. Last year the chamber collected over 10,000 much-needed items in a one-month period.
When the members of the chamber's group for young professionals, HYPE 9, read a recent Community Advocate article about the dire shortage that local food pantries are currently experiencing, they knew they had to do something about the situation. So they decided that they would kick off the 2012 food drive a month early. And they hope that members of the communities will join them in helping their fellow neighbors who are still struggling with the devastating effects of the slow economic recovery.
On Friday, Oct. 19, the HYPE 9 members will be at the Roche Bros. supermarket, located in the Bay State Commons, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect donations. Items will also be accepted at the Corridor Nine office, 30 Lyman St.
The group is hoping that members of the communities will join them in helping their fellow neighbors who are still struggling with the slow economic recovery.
Items most requested by the food pantries include:
- Meals in a can (beef stew, chili, corned beef hash, sloppy joes, manwich etc.)
- Soups, including clam chowder
- Dry Pasta (spaghetti, shells etc.)
- Tuna fish
- Canned chicken
- Peanut butter & jelly
- Canned fruit
- Rice
- Instant potatoes
- 24 oz. catsup
- 30 oz. mayo
- 8 oz. Salad Dressing
- Boxed jello
- Granola bars & kids snacks
- Baking goods MIXES: (brownies, pancakes, cakes, breads, muffin mix etc.)
- 8 oz. salad dressing (example: Italian, French)
- Toilet paper
- Tissues
- Toothpaste
- Paper towels
- Bars of soap
- Shampoo
Here is contact information for the food pantries ?
Northborough Food Pantry
Northborough Town Hall, lower level, 63 Main St., Northborough, MA
(508) 393-6897
[email protected]
http://nfpantry.org
St. Anne's Human Services
130 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury
(508) 799-4169
Southborough Food Pantry
Pilgrim Congregational Church
15 Common St.
Southborough
www.southboroughfoodpantry.org
Westborough Food Pantry
Forbes Community House
9 East Main St.
Westborough
www.westboroughfoodpantry.org
Worcester County Food Bank
474 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury
(508) 842-3663
www.foodbank.org