It’s not magic
Food Share’s ever-widening inspiration
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Impressive and inspirational.
Likely those were the thoughts from the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse Food Share visitors from around the state.
Officials from the Midwest Food Bank New England, the Hometown Foundation Inc. and Walmart said they were amazed by the scale and the organization of the Coffeehouse’s Food Share.
And even a single veteran is impressed and plans to return. Food Share organizer Bruce Hay said he was dropping some stuff off at the famers market pavilion (where the Food Share is held on the first Thursdays of the month) and met a veterans from Plainfield. He asked Hay, “Can I volunteer?” Absolutely. Hay said he saw that veteran at the May 7 Food Share and he said to Hay, “I can’t believe what you’ve got going on here. I’ll be back.”
National groups were also impressed. Marchelle Savage, manager of the Brooklyn Walmart, said she and her crew of volunteers will be coming back to volunteer. May 7 was their first visit to help and she said it’s their goal to try to do this every month. Samantha Hart, the Putnam Walmart manager, agreed. Savage said at the beginning of every year stores are asked about the services important to their communities and Walmart corporate supports that. Savage said that veterans and seniors are an important part of the community.
Outreach is key. “We’d like people to realize that we’re (Walmart) just not brick and mortar.”
Hart said “The best part about being a store manager is being able to give back to the community and help out organizations and support them because that’s what we’re here for.”
And the Walmart contingent enjoyed one of the Food Share traditions — Coney dogs from Nikki’s Dog House. Each month Nikki’s Dog House brings Coney dogs for all the volunteers.
In addition, Hay said Walmart gave them tax free cards. This will allow them to save on taxes when they are buying food for their Tuesday veterans breakfasts.
Meghan Sullivan from Hometown Foundation Inc. visited and was also impressed. That organization gives the Coffeehouse the turkeys for its Turkey Food Share in November.
Midwest also had several representatives there. Aaron Patterson, Development manager, said: “In 2025 Midwest Food Bank New England 157,530 pounds of free food (valued at $679,014) to the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse group.” He added “If folks ever want to volunteer here, donate (we’re privately funded), or point us to food that should be rescued, they can contact us at https://midwestfoodbank.org/locations/new-england/. They are also looking for drivers.
The May 7 Food Share included: Black beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, kale, shallots, salmon, chicken soup, bags of fruit, donuts, pears, salad, soda, water, canned goods, chips, popcorn, Celsius, quiches, fowl sings, coconut water, mozzarella sticks, macaroni and cheese, baby food, cereal, vitamin water, a small pillow and witch hazel.
Hay said the May 7 Food Share gave out about 300 boxes all together. “More than 30,000 pounds” Whatever is left over went out to the Putnam Elks for their first Saturday Food Share, Brooklyn Cares, TEEG and Sister Jeanine at St. Joseph’s.
It doesn’t happen without the 60 core group of mostly veterans who work each month. “They all know what they’re doing. They dive right in,” Hay said.
*Editor’s note: You think events just appear by magic? No. Behind the scenes are creative, hardworking people you never see who’ve worked relentlessly to make this “magic” happen. It’s not magic.
captions:
page 1:
Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse Food Share May 7. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photo.
page 4:
Top: Korean War era veteran Al Borders is always singing. Middle: Walmart volunteers. Bottom: Special visitors from Hometown Foundation and Midwest. More photo on our FB page Wed. night. Linda Lemmon photos.
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