To the Editor:

The Helderberg Family and Community Organization, the Knox/Thompson Lake Reformed Church, and Hugs from the Hilltowns are joining forces to help support our neighbors with the establishment of “Gathering Hope.”

Gathering Hope is a non-denominational food and resource pantry to be centrally located in the Thompsons Lake Reformed Church hall with the goal to be operational by January 2025.

We are raising funds to support our start-up costs, which include repairs to the building we are to be housed in, shelving units on which to place the food and personal care items. All funds raised as a result of your generosity will go directly to helping our neighbors.

Please consider supporting our chicken barbecue, bake sale, and canned-food drive on Nov. 5 at the Knox Reformed Church at 2175 Berne-Altamont Rd. in Knox, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. or until sold out.

Eat in or take out a $15 chicken dinner (chicken, potato, coleslaw, roll, and dessert) from Barbecue Delights Catering. Pre-ordering is strongly encouraged: call or text Joan (518-461-1320) or Sandy (518-605-1351) to reserve your dinners. When you arrive, please bring a non-perishable food donation to help us stock the shelves!

Additional ways to support this project include making a donation of food items, holding a food drive (or fundraiser) with organizations you may be involved in, and/or making a monetary donation. We also welcome all volunteers to help stock and maintain the food pantry. Any contribution would be welcome and appreciated.

For more information, please visit www.helderbergfco.com email , or call/text Maryellen Gillis @518-925-3227.

Thank you for always being there to help our community.

Maryellen Gillis

President

Helderberg Family and Community Organization