To the Editor:

The Gathering Hope Food Pantry will be hosting its first “Sharing the Love”  Food Giveaway Event on Feb. 14, beginning at 10 a.m. at the East Berne firehouse.

Timed to coincide with the beginning of the February school vacation week, Gathering Hope’s goal is to  provide 100 boxes of food to our neighbors on a first-come, first-served basis.

This event is made possible only through the generous donations from the community. There are a number of ways that kind-hearted individuals or groups may support this worthwhile project:

— Become a sponsor of this event through a monetary donation. Checks may be made payable to Gathering Hope Food Pantry and mailed to Post Office Box 101, Knox, NY 12107;

— Help us fill the boxes by purchasing one or several of the items to be included in the giveaway. Items needed include: peanut butter, jelly, boxed potatoes, pasta sauce, tuna, mayonnaise, brownie or cake mix, chicken/turkey gravy (mixed or jarred), canned corn, soup (preferably with 7+ grams of protein);

— Drop-off points for the items include: Altamont Country Value (Agway); Altamont Stewart's; Helderberg True Value; Berne Library; Old Berne Mill; Gathering Hope Food Pantry (1212 Thacher Park Road, East Berne).

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have regarding this event or how you may support the ongoing efforts of the Gathering Hope Food Pantry. Please call 518-872-7027; leave a message and we will get back to you.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to support our neighbors during these very challenging economic times. Your generosity and kindness is always appreciated.

Maryellen Gillis

Chairwoman

Gathering Hope Food Pantry