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Date: 10/5/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – For the entire month of October, the Council on Aging (COA) will be carrying out the “Stuff the Bus,” a nonperishable food drive to be donated to the Parish Cupboard.
From Oct. 1 to 31, Monday through Friday, people are asked to drop off food items between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to the Council on Aging, 128 Park St.
West Springfield COA Director Sarah Long said “Stuff the Bus” stems from non-perishable collections in the past. “In 2019, we came up with the name of the ‘Stuff the Bus,’ to create a goal for the drive.”
She added, “We want to fill every square inch of the COA bus with donations.”
In 2019, Long said the community was extremely generous in their donations and they had a successful turnout. “Now that the Senior Center is back open, we wanted to do it again as there are always individuals in need.”
The Parish Cupboard, located at 738 Main St., serves between 10 to 15 people every day for lunch. Each month, their pantry feeds between 100 to 150 families. In order to receive food from the Parish Cupboard, people must reside in West Springfield or Agawam. Lunch is served Monday through Friday between 11:10 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. The food pantry is also open Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
Bob Fastie, executive director of the West Springfield Parish Cupboard, said they primarily serve people in need and/or homeless.
Long explained that Fastie provided the COA with a list of items that he’d like to see the Parish Cupboard receive. The items on that wish list include peanut butter, jelly, pasta roni, rice-a-roni, cereal and hamburger helper. “Those making donations want to be sure they’re helping in the best way so a list makes that possible for them,” said Long.
She went on to say, “The Parish Cupboard is an amazing ally for the COA. Anytime we have reached out to them to assist an older adult in West Springfield they respond immediately. They provide support when an individual is in crisis and ongoing support for those in difficult situations. They truly are a special group.”
On Nov. 1, the COA will fill up their van and deliver all the donations to the Parish Cupboard.
Aside from dropping-off items at the COA, donations can be brought directly to the Parish Cupboard.