A recent food drive by West Hartford’s 11 elementary schools resulted in the collection of more than 6,000 pounds of non-perishables for the West Hartford Food Pantry.

Two tons of canned vegetables donated by ShopRite are just part of the non-perishables collected in the West Hartford elementary school food drive. Submitted photo

By Michelle Bonner

The goal was to collect 2,000 lbs. of food to help keep the shelves stocked at the West Harford Food Pantry, but the first annual Town Wide Elementary School Food Drive was a much “heavier” success, with all 11 schools collecting more than 6,000 lbs. of food.

“This is just incredible,” said Suzanne Oslander, the community partnerships manager for the Department of Human and Leisure Services. “The elementary schools have always been incredibly generous to the food pantry, but those numbers remind me just how amazing the West Hartford community is.”

On Thursday, June 11, West Hartford elementary school PTO representatives joined Oslander, ShopRite owner Chuck Joseph, and his son Chuck for the presentation of food donations.

From left: Chuck Joseph, owner of ShopRite in West Hartford and Canton, Corbin Woods, Suzanne Oslander, and Chuck Joseph Jr. Submitted photo

Aiken Elementary School Community Outreach Coordinator Corbin Woods spearheaded the town-wide initiative after learning of the need for food following the holiday season. “The food donations are plentiful before the holidays with many food drives,” said Woods. “But people forget that the food that comes in gets distributed quickly and the food pantry is depleted at the beginning of the year.”

Joining forces with the elementary schools is ShopRite of West Hartford, which pledged to match up to one ton (2,000 pounds) of canned vegetables. “We didn’t even have to think about contributing,” said Chuck Joseph, owner of ShopRite of West Hartford. “Giving back to the community, especially to those in need is a priority of Joseph Family Markets. We will do everything we can to support the fight against hunger and to feed our neighbors in need.”

Also supporting the town-wide effort is Rosenberg Orthodontics, which presented a check for $2,000 to the Food Pantry, matching the original goal of 2,000 lbs.

Dr. Barry Rosenberg (center) of Rosenberg Orthodontics presents a check for $2,000 to Food Pantry Coordinator Suzanne Oslander (at left) and Corbin Woods. Submitted photo

“Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough,” said Oslander. “We are so appreciative and grateful to Corbin, Rosenberg Orthodontics, the Joseph family and the ShopRite team and all the elementary schools for this overwhelming assistance. The need in our community has grown incredibly. Since the recession started late in 2007 we went from providing 700 bags of food to more than 5,000 bags of food.”

Oslander also explained that the summer months are when the food pantry needs donations more than many times during the year. “With kids not receiving breakfast or lunch in school, we have a higher demand from families during the summer. These donations will help tremendously.”

The second annual town-wide elementary school food drives will be held early next year and throughout the spring. “We live in a town that cares about its neighbors,” added Woods. “And this is a very simple way to give back and get so many people involved in giving back as well. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have our schools come together like this and support our friends and neighbors in need.”

For more information on how you can help support the West Hartford Food Pantry, contact the Food Pantry Coordinator at 860.561-7569.

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