Joint Holiday Food Gift Card Program
Submitted by Dr. D. Michael Hart
Members of the Rotary Club of Westfield and the Optimist Club demonstrated their commitment to community service by providing holiday food to Westfield area families and local food pantries. Due to current health and safety concerns and food restrictions, ShopRite food gift cards were distributed to families and food pantries instead of food baskets.
The Holiday Food distribution program has been an annual community service project for the Optimist Club of Westfield for the past 33 years. This project is made possible through the generosity and funding from the Optimist Club and the Rotary Club Foundation, and contributions from members and friends that sponsor food gift cards.
One hundred $50 food gift cards were delivered to local families, the Westfield Food Pantry, Mobile Meals, Presbyterian Church Agape Food Program, Union County College Student Assistance Food Pantry, Elizabeth Coalition and Saint Joseph’s Social Service Center Food Pantry.
Thank you to members of the Rotary Club of Westfield and the Optimist Club and who attended a holiday breakfast and delivered the gift cards and special thanks to Ray Kostyack for helping with the project and securing the ShopRite cards. The President of the Rotary Club is Barbara Frantz, Esq, and the President of the Optimists Club is Darielle Walsh.
The involvement of volunteers and two local organizations ensures the success of this annual program, which reflects our mission of helping those in need and assisting members of our community.
The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of each month for lunch at noon, at Limani Seafood Grill on North Ave. Guests are always welcome. For information check out the website westfieldrotary.com or contact club secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart by email at drmhart@yahoo.com
