Monday proved to be a busy, but productive day for Coventry Community Food Bank Coordinator Stefani Dugas and the volunteers who helped prepare the 125 Thanksgiving baskets that will be picked up by Coventry families in need on Tuesday.
At 9 a.m., Torino Social Club Director Richard Moschetti, Treasurer John Ruzzo and Vice President Lou Ruzzo delivered the 70 frozen turkeys that the club offered to donate to the food bank last week.
The turkeys were purchased by the Torino Club from Coventry Wal Mart at 69 cents per pound and will provide dozens of Coventry families with a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.
Moschetti acknowledged Town Council President Gary Cote who recently recommended making a donation to the food bank when asked what the Club could do to help out the community.
"This is a great day for us here at the food bank," said Dugas. "This is a really wonderful thing that the Torino Club has done for the community."
Dugas was also visted later in the day by representatives from BankRI, who donated and delivered enough Thanksgiving meal components for 25 baskets. The visitors from Bank RI along with community volunteers also helped prepare the baskets, filling them with vegetables, sides and dessert items.
Earlier this month, the food bank received donations from Coventry Boy Scout troops, who collected food items from residents, as well as its annual bread donation provided by Cumberland Farms. Members of the community, including several Coventry schools have also recently collected food, both human and pet, to benefit those in need.
"People really do come together, especially around the holidays to help out their neighbors," said Dugas. "We wouldn't be able to function without the donations from our community groups throughout the year. After all, this is the community food bank."
If you would like to make a donation to or volunteer your time at the Coventry Community Food Bank, contact Coordinator Stefani Dugas at 822-9199.