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| By Michelle Kealey Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD A variety of events are planned for this summer to raise funds for the Parish Cupboard, the soup kitchen and food pantry that serves families in West Springfield, Agawam and Feeding Hills. The Parish Cupboard has been helping families in need since 1985 and has been "neighbors helping neighbors" for the past 20 years. All of the funds raised for the Parish Cupboard will go directly into the organization's operating budget. *** 13th Annual Parish Cupboard Golf Outing The Parish Cupboard is seeking the support of local golfers for the fund-raising tournament, which will take place on July 12. Candy Boucher, executive director of the Parish Cupboard, said that the tournament usually raises between $5,000 and $8,000 each year. She added that because the tournament has been moved to St. Anne Country Club in Feeding Hills this year. She said that the move will allow the organization to realize more profit and she is hoping the tournament will raise $10,000 this year. "Last year we had 90 players in the pouring rain," she said. "We are promising everyone it will not rain this year." The 13th Annual Parish Cupboard Golf Outing will take place on July 12 at 11 a.m. It is a best-ball style tournament. The fee to play is $100 per player, which includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, coffee and donuts, lunch on the course, a prime rib dinner and prizes. For more information, call the Parish Cupboard at 734-7969. There is still room for foursomes. The annual golf outing is sponsored by Bertera Auto and Truck dealerships. *** 2nd Annual Charity Softball Challenge The second event of the summer to raise funds for the Parish Cupboard will once again pit Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen and West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson against each other as coaches of softball teams. "Last year, it was loads of fun," Boucher said. "It is the most easy going fund-raiser." Boucher said that all interested participants have to do is to call the mayor in their city and they are on the team. "The teams have some good players and some who play for the fun of it," she said. The game took place in West Springfield last year and West Springfield won the trophy. The game raised $2,000 for the Parish Cupboard. This year, the game will take place in Agawam and Boucher said Cohen is "anxious to be the host and of course to win back the trophy." The trophy was donated by CHH Engraving, a company in Agawam. Boucher said she thinks perhaps since the trophy is from Agawam it may "feel more comfortable on that side of the bridge." Last year, the players paid a $10 fee to play in the tournament and there has been talk about players possibly finding sponsors for this year. Boucher said she does not have all of the details and more information can be obtained by calling the coaches. Cohen can be reached at786-0400 ext. 200. Gibson can be reached at 263-3041. A picnic will also be part of that event. *** School Supply Drive This summer, the Parish Cupboard is hosting its annual school supply drive, which benefits over 300 children who are served by the organization. Boucher said that she has already received some items for the fall school year. She explained that she has prepared a list that includes items needed for children in specific grade levels, which members of the community purchase and place in a backpack for a child in need. For example, she said if a donor wants to purchase a backpack for a third grader, he or she would pick up the list from the Parish Cupboard and go shopping for the items. Those community members who do not have time or who do not like to shop can send a check marked "school supplies" to the organization and someone will later go out to purchase the items needed. Boucher explained that filled backpacks can range in price from $10 for a preschool student to $50 or more for a high school student. Boucher said that 350 students were able to walk into school last fall with new backpacks and school supplies. "I am not sure people realize there's that many children in the families we serve," Boucher said. "There's actually double that." She added that the Parish Cupboard serves households each month with an average of 400 to 500 children. She added that the organization does not serve the same families and children each month, but 400 to 500 is the monthly average. Boucher said that the school supply drive is important because families who do not have enough food do not have enough money for school supplies. "I think that children from poor families should not be distinguished among their peers, because of what they don't have when they start back [to] school," she said. She said that some children have backpacks and others have to carry their supplies to school in a grocery bag. "I don't think that it is fair," Boucher said. "If we are going to break the chain of poverty, we need to support the education of children of families who are poor." Boucher said that her father always said about education that " 'no one can take education from you but it is something you can take with you." " "[Education] is the key to a better life," she said. Anyone who would like to donate school supplies can contact Boucher at the Parish Cupboard by calling 734-7969. Monetary donations in the form of a check marked "school supplies" can be mailed to the Parish Cupboard, 1023 Main Street, West Springfield, MA 01089. School supplies will be collected until August 15. *** Food Supply While many times the food supply at a food pantry can slow down during the summer months, Boucher said that the Parish Cupboard is doing fine and is "still riding the wave of the letter carrier food drive" that took place in May. She said that the food that was collected last month should last until about August. She added that she will be asking the community for food donations in August. "Hopefully it will last until folks get back from vacation and school is starting," she said. While Boucher said that the food supply is fine for now, she added that she is always accepting food donations. Donations can be dropped off at the Parish Cupboard Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. |