Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/11/2023
CHICOPEE – Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry Executive Director Kim Caisse is continuing the organization’s efforts to address food insecurity through a series of upcoming events.
Caisse, who took over as Lorraine’s director in June 2022, said the pantry continues to grow under her leadership.
“It’s going really well. We’ve been getting a lot more volunteers and really getting out in the community,” said Caisse.
The demand for food has also grown as pandemic-based financial relief measures have gradually waned.
“We’ve definitely seen a rise in people coming from the pantry … There’s definitely a need,” said Caisse.
Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry aids residents from a multitude of platforms. Along with its kitchen and headquarters at 170 Pondexter Ave., Lorraine’s operates a mobile food pantry that originally debuted at the end of 2021. Caisse said the mobile pantry often draws 50 to 60 residents during some of its stops, such as a weekly visit to the Chicopee Public Library.
Still, Caisse wants to continue growing the mobile truck’s reach. Lorraine’s currently opens the truck at 14 community sites and will add an additional two locations yet to be established.
“I think that’s something that we need to work on a little bit more to get it more out in the public so people know if they cannot get into Lorraine’s, they can come to one of our sites … That is our goal to really start pushing the mobile. People cannot always come in for different reason, but we want to still be able to serve them,” said Caisse.
Readers can find Lorraine’s April mobile pantry schedule at www.lorrainessoupkitchen.com/mobile/.
One way the community can support Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry’s mission is by attending its events. The pantry recently hosted a purse bingo even on March 31 that sold out before its start day.
On April 14, Lorraine’s is hosting its fifth annual quarter auction at the Elks Club on 431 Granby Rd. The auction begins at 7 p.m. and costs $5 for admission. The event raises funds for Lorraine’s while supporting local vendors. Caisse considers it one of Lorraine’s most inclusive events.
“Different vendors will come out and they will auction off two of the items they bring. Everything is 25 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents or a $1, that’s the most anyone would spend on any item. It’s a lot of fun … It’s a nice inexpensive event for a lot of people,” said Caisse.
Lorraine’s will be hosting its second annual FunnyRaisinsg Comedy Show on May 6 at the Knights of Columbus #69 on 460 Granby Rd. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and features the talents of Jess Miller and friends.
Caisse said attendees can expect to come out “and have a good laugh.” She said Miller remains a frequent supporter of Lorraine’s mission.
“Jess Miller is a friend of ours, she has been very supportive of us. She gets great talent to come out from all over. We will also have a lot of raffle baskets. It’s really a lot of fun,” said Caisse.
Tickets are $20, with a $5 reduction if attendees donate non-perishable food at the event.
One of Lorraine’s longest running fundraising gatherings is the annual golf tournament at the Chicopee County Club on 1290 Burnett Rd. The tournament will be played on Sept. 13 at 9.a.m. A quartet of golfers costs $500, and also includes lunch and a buffet dinner.
“The golf tournament is a lot of fun. We always have it at the Chicopee Country Club, they are always very welcoming us. It’s a day of golfing, lunch, dinner and we have a lot of raffle baskets. It’s just a nice time out,” said Caisse.
Caisse expects a “very busy few months” for Lorraine’s as the pantry organizes its events and continues to serve growing food demand. She aspires for Lorraine’s reach to expand and address the needs of the community.
“I just want to keep getting out in the community and start talking to people more about Lorraine’s, our pantry and our mobile food pantry. I really want to work on that for the rest of the year,” said Caisse.
Readers can learn more about Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry at lorrainessoupkitchen.com.