Seniors help local soup kitchen and senior center

Date: 12/22/2008

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE The legacy of a now disbanded senior citizen group will mean much to the needy at this holiday season in Chicopee and to the city's senior citizens.

On Dec. 16, Norman Moreau, the head of the Swinging and Singing Seniors, a performing group based in Chicopee, presented Al Rosati, the assistant director of Lorraine's Soup Kitchen, with a check for $6,000.

Moreau added the group would also donate $10,000 to the construction of a new senior center.

Moreau explained the group was in existence for 23 years, performing a fund-raising show annually at the Bellamy Middle School. When the group was first organized it had 40 to 50 members, he said. Now it had only ten to 12 members and was officially disbanded in October. The last show was in 2006.

The reason for the break-up of the performing group was largely due to the age of its members.

Rosati said the demand for the soup kitchen's services has increased with the nation's economic problems. He said there have been 90 new families this month seeking assistance either through the food pantry or by participating in the daily meal.

"Everyone's coming forward," Rosati said.

Noting the support the soup kitchen is receiving at this imte, Rosati said, "My hat's off to the city of Chicopee for what they've done."