Gray House Requests Food Donations for Thanksgiving Distribution

SPRINGFIELD — With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the Gray House in Springfield is requesting donations to help the families it serves enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

“We are looking for all types of food related to the Thanksgiving holiday meal, but especially turkeys,” said Dena Calvanese, executive director of the Gray House. “We appreciate all food donations, but it doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving without a turkey. Also needed are gravy, stuffing, potatoes, canned yams or sweet potatoes, vegetables, cake mixes, pie crust, and pie filling.”

She added, “the need for emergency food by families is greater than ever. We normally serve 60 to 90 families per week. However, we recently served 140 families in just four hours. With the holiday approaching, we are expecting an even greater demand.”

The Gray House is a small neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. Food donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. It would be appreciated if food donations, especially those collected at drives, could be delivered between Nov. 16 and Nov. 20 or on Saturday, Nov. 21 between 9 a.m. and noon.

The Gray House mission is to help its neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment. In 2014, the Gray House food pantry provided emergency food to nearly 8,000 people. For more information about the Gray House, visit www.grayhouse.org.