Ev
eryday I drive the same route to work & I've noticed that on certain days there is a very long line outside this one place.
Every time I pass...I wonder...What is that line for ???
Last week, on the way to work, I decided to stop & find out why.
When I got to the door, I realized that it was a
food pantry.
I knocked on the door & a woman came to the door. I recognized her immediately (I had gone to her yard sale a few weeks ago). I said "I know you...I purchased a few things from you at your yard sale." At the yard sale, we had discussed her organization & how she wanted to rent the deli next to my store
(Staten Island is such a small place).
She then showed me the food pantry. The shelves were bare & I asked what type of food they needed. She told me that at this time of the year...canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned tuna & chicken, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, cereal, & pasta are in demand. Each of these items can provide a meal...Soup & Crackers, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tuna or Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Cereal, etc....
On the drive back to the store, it really distressed me that I am always so worried about everything, but food in my home is plentiful. It saddened me that some people had to worry about food & how to pay for it & feed their families. When I got to the store, I told my sister, Lorraine, about the food pantry. While we were decorating the store for Christmas, Lorraine & I continued to talk about the food pantry & the economy in general. It scares both of us to think that this great nation we live in...is falling on such hard times. We decided that we needed to do something to help fill those shelves with food. My sister & I brainstormed & we thought that our store "Town & Country Gifts" would be a perfect drop off center for food donations for the food pantry. This time of the year is a busy time for us & it would make sense for our store to collect food for those less fortunate.
So...for the next 12 days, we will be collecting food for the:
SENIOR FOOD MART...
which provides emergency food supplies (three days' food once a month) to low-income persons. This is a "customer choice" style in which recipients select their groceries in a comfortable & dignified setting.
And in the spirit of giving...
With every drop off for the food pantry, we will put your name in a raffle drawing...We will raffle off three prizes...
A Cheerful Giver...Keeper's of the Light Juicy Apple Candle
Retail Value $25.00
A Bracelet
Retail Value $25.00
Picture to Follow...
An Annalee "Wannabe A Gingerbread" Elf
Retail Value $25.00
The first winner will have first choice.
The second winner will have a choice of the remaining two.
And the third winner will have the remaining item.
Drop-Off will start:
Thursday, December 8th through Sunday, December 18th.
The winners will be drawn on Sunday, December 18th.
Here is a list of must need items:
Canned Soups
Crackers
Boxed Macaroni & Cheese
Canned Vegetables
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Cereal
Canned Fruits
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Boxed Pasta
Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year & the older my sister & I get, the more we realize that we get more pleasure in giving than receiving. So this season, we would like to give the gift of food to those who are not as fortunate as us. Please help us make this Christmas special to those who are in need.
Please drop-off at our store:
Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue (West Brighton corner Taylor Street)
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237
Holiday Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 until 5:00, Sunday 12:00 until 4:00
In the Spirit of Giving,
Kathleen Sforza
Lorraine Sforza Razzano
Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237
Websites:
Kathleen Rose's Collection (an eBay Store)
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (an eBay Store)
Blogs:
Lorraine's Favorite Finds
Accessories By Ashley Rae
