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Program to address food security issues

By Lori O'Brien, Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD The Council of Churches of Greater Springfield will present a Family Community Cookout on June 22 for those living in the Mason Square area to kick off a series of Target: Hunger Springfield outreach initiatives with a goal of reducing hunger by 10 percent in four years.

The food and nutrition fair, which is free and open to the public, will be conducted at Magazine Park from 1 to 6 p.m. In the event of rain, the cookout will be conducted June 29. Magazine Park is located on St. James Avenue.

Target: Hunger Springfield is a partnership of organizations working in and with the Mason Square district, coordinated by The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, to reduce hunger by 10 percent while building sustainable, long-term solutions to hunger based on community strengths. Current projects organized by Target: Hunger Springfield partners include the Concerned Citizens of Mason Square Farmers' Market, opening July 14, an Infant Formula Pilot Project, and a food resource guide.

Jo Comerford, director of programs at The Food Bank, said the event will be a fun-filled, family focused, education packed, community based afternoon in the heart of Mason Square.

"Our outreach is focused on Mason Square, but all interested persons are welcome to attend," said Comerford during an interview with Reminder Publications. "Target: Hunger Springfield partners are interested in spreading the word about this good work."

Comerford added the fair will offer the community an opportunity to come together for information gathering, resource sharing, networking and fun.

"It's a great example of a community building on its strengths to increase community food security," she said.

Comerford explained that the event grew out of a Target: Hunger working group focused on food stamp outreach and education.

"It grew into something much larger than originally expected thanks to the enthusiasm and support of the community," she added.

The festive event will feature interactive theater performances highlighting proper nutrition, information tables and enrollment opportunities for local programs, step dancing by Dream Studios, basketball and hula hoop demonstration performances by local youth, games for children, and free food from the grill. DJ Camacho will provide the musical entertainment while Sparky the Fire Dog will roam the grounds entertaining and educating children. Door prizes and giveaways will also take place throughout the day. Six Flags representatives will also be on hand to discuss youth job opportunities.

Event organizers are hoping that attendance exceeds 2,000 residents from the area.

WTCC radio host Andrew Cade will emcee the afternoon's festivities as several speakers will also address those in attendance including Bettye Anderson Frederic, deputy director, Springfield's Department of Health and Human Services, community activist Michael Branch, and Rep. Benjamin Swan and Sen. Stephen Buoniconti.

"The aim of the fair is to increase awareness of local resources for people to increase their access to nutritious foods and other supports to improve the quality of life for local residents," said Comerford. "A major theme will be the need to boost food stamp enrollment, which can bring better nutrition to Mason Square families as well as more commerce to local businesses."

With the cooperation of Mason Square agencies, The Food Bank has created a resource guide with the locations and hours of emergency and non-emergency food assistance, food stamp application sites, community gardening and skill-building opportunities and more. The guide's distribution will begin at the cookout.

Event organizers working behind the scenes include representatives from Northern Educational Services, Pioneer Valley Health Education Center, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Springfield Girls' Club Family Center, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts Public Health Association, and The Food Bank. Sponsors of the event include 22 News, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, BMC HealthNet, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Branford Hall Career Institute, Camacho's DJ Service, Forest Park Rentals and the Caring Health Center.

For more information about the cookout or Target: Hunger Springfield, call (800) 247-9632, ext. 113, or visit www.foodbankwma.org.