where to donate food in westfield Archives

With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, we edge closer and closer to closing the chapter on 2020. For some, it cannot come soon enough. So many people struggle with food insecurity in a “normal” year. But in 2020, the global pandemic hit millions of US families even harder. To combat these issues, the Stop & Shop hosts their annual Westfield holiday food drive…with a couple of tweaks.

What: Westfield Holiday Food Drive
Where: Stop & Shop (219 Elm St)
When: Now through Christmas
Contact: Stop & Shop (908) 232-1292

Westfield Holiday Food Drive

In years past, the Stop & Shop began their food drive before Thanksgiving. For just $10, people purchased boxes filled with all the trimmings necessary to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal. These boxes then went to the charity that the donor chose. This year, supply issues meant no Thanksgiving food drive. However, they simply moved their focus off of Thanksgiving and on to Christmas with their Westfield Holiday Food Drive.

The boxes still cost $10 each. But they now contain non-perishable food items that all go to Westfield’s Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church for their food pantry. If you wish to donate, just visit the Stop & Shop anytime between now and Christmas. Then, add a small $10 donation per bag to help struggling families enjoy a good meal this Christmas.

Westfield Y’s Men’s Christmas Tree Lot

I am so pleased to announce that the Westfield Area Y Men’s Club Christmas tree lot sold out their entire inventory of trees already. We want to thank everyone who came out and bought their tree from us. We are extremely grateful for your patronage. We promise that the money raised will be put to good use in the upcoming year. Merry Christmas to you all.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Did you spot any rainbows while out on your daily walk in Westfield lately? It may seem like a little thing, but they certainly raise your spirits when you see them. With unemployment filings in the multi-millions over the last few weeks, we see more and more people struggling just to put food on the table. One way you can help alleviate this strain for those in need is to donate food and other essentials to the Westfield Food Pantry. The Westfield Area YMCA offers a convenient drop-off location for anyone able to help during the pandemic.

The Westfield Area Y continues to offer an easy drop-off location for any food or personal care item donations to the Westfield Food Pantry.

Westfield Food Pantry Drop-Off

The Westfield Area Y always accepted donations for the Westfield Food Pantry. They continue to do so even though they temporarily shut their doors to the public. The Y set up donation drop-off bins in their front vestibule. You may drop off your non-perishable food and personal care items any time between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. Westfield Police pick up all donations from these bins regularly and take them to the food pantry themselves.

What They Need

canned goods (soup, beef stew, ravioli, spaghettios, fruit, veggies)
dry pasta
peanut butter
jelly
cereal
personal care items (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, travel-sized items)

Helping the Westfield Area Y

As you can imagine, shutting their doors has financially hurt our local YMCA. To help reduce the impact this has caused, the Westfield Area Y set up their YMCA Operations Recovery Fund. If you can, please donate today. This will help them continue to provide service to the community when they are able to open back up after we flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic and get back to something resembling a normal life afterward. We will get there as long as we work together right now.