To the Editor:

“Nothing is more important in this time than making sure our neighbors have enough food.” This note, along with a generous donation, was one of the many gifts received by the Helderberg Family and Community Organization during our recent Spring Food Drive.

The HFCO would like to express our deepest appreciation for the overwhelming outpouring of generosity and kindness during the HFCO Spring Food Drive. Over 200 families across the Hilltowns were supported by the 1,660 food items and over $3,000 collected.

Your generosity not only provided our neighbors with everyday food necessities but with a very special Easter meal. Your kindness provided hams, corn, potatoes, bread mixes, pineapple, applesauce, desserts, and Easter candy to so many of our neighbors and friends.

A project of such magnitude is the result of the efforts of many caring and good-hearted people. The HFCO would like to recognize all those who donated food items or made a monetary donation and the many volunteers that collected, packed, and delivered the food to our neighbors.

Thank you also to all who enclosed kind words of encouragement with your donations. Your kind words truly touched us all.

We also would like to acknowledge all the volunteers associated with our partner organizations; those volunteers who give of their time, energy, and resources to build a better community. We were proud to partner with the Rock Road Chapel Community Storehouse, Hugs From the Hilltowns, The Town of Westerlo Fire Department and Auxiliary, the Knox Fire Department, theKnox-Thompsons Lake Reformed Church, the Berne Fire Department, and the Hilltowns Community Resource Center.

Our project would not have been possible without the support of several of our local businesses. We wish to express a sincere thank-you to Altamont Country Value (Agway), Fox Creek Market, and Helderberg True Value for allowing us to use their businesses as donation drop-off sites. A special thank-you is due to Thrivent Financial Group, a key business sponsor of this event.

The HFCO remains committed to supporting children and families. Please visit our website, www.helderbergfco.com, or follow us on Facebook for information on future programs and events.

Maryellen Gillis

President

Helderberg Family and

Community Organization

Chuck Conklin

Co-Chair

Thrivent Team Leader