Fifteen years ago a small group of Athol and Orange officials and citizens decided to try a “Boot Drive” to raise money and to collect food donations to help support local food pantries and feeding programs. The event was so successful it was repeated again and again.
The 15th annual North Quabbin Food-a-Thon will be held on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Food-a-Thon provides food and money to support five local food pantries and feeding programs. The recipients are the Orange Food Pantry and the Community Meals Program in Orange (both parts of the Franklin County Community Meals Program), Our Lady Immaculate Pantry in Athol, the Salvation Army Pantry and Meal Program in Athol, St. Vincent DePaul Pantry of St. Mary’s Church in Orange and the Good Neighbors Pantry in Wendell.
Volunteers conduct the “Boot Drive” on the Main Streets in Orange and Athol and over the past 14 years have collected nearly $400,000. More than 15,000 non-perishable food items were collected in 2017. Both the money and food are divided equally among the five pantry and feeding programs.
Food is collected in various locations in Athol and Orange including the Main Street intersections in downtown Athol and Orange, and at Hannaford’s, Walmart and Market Basket grocery stores. Food is also gathered at local businesses, in public schools and by community groups such as Girl and Boy Scout troops.
All the food is brought to the downtown parking lot in Orange by 6 p.m. and then divided among the programs.
The Food-a-Thon will be broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on AOTV and WJDF radio and WVAO radio. Federal, state and local elected officials are interviewed on air as well as local business owners, the various pantry representatives, school children and local benefactors making contributions. Live video feed is provided in Orange and Athol during the school donation drop-offs.
The fiscal sponsor is the Orange Historical Society and checks may be mailed to “The Orange Historical Society” and write “Food-a-Thon” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to The Orange Historical Society, PO Box 28, Orange, MA 01364. Donors may also present checks of $100 or more on-air at AOTV between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sponsors for the Food-a-Thon include Pete’s Tire Barns, Hannaford Supermarket, Walmart, Witty’s Funeral Home, Lyman Signs and The Highland Press.
Organizers note that the sponsoring businesses are “extremely important and make a significant difference in our ability to host the Food-a-Thon.”
Local businesses who donate food to feed the volunteers include the Diemand Farm, Friendly Town Pizza, The Pizza Factory, Hannaford Supermarket and Walmart.
The pantry and feeding programs have seen a steady increase in need this year. The Food-a-Thon is a major source of food and funds to keep these pantries and meal sites open. With new households coming to the pantries and feeding programs every month, the community’s support is needed more than ever, according to organizers who said this is “why we are reaching out, once again, to all local businesses, organizations, churches and schools for help. Whether you collect food, raise funds or help feed the volunteers, the Food-a-Thon shines a light on food insecurity in the Athol/Orange area and offers an opportunity to help those in need in our community.”