It’s A WIN-Win Situation

By Laurie Borst

As many families in Newtown are defrosting turkeys, turning cranberries to sauce, and baking pies, they are also pitching in to help some less fortunate neighbors. Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) has been organizing a food drive to provide baskets for the holiday season.

This is Mandy Monaco’s 13th year as part of the food drive. For the past five years, Mrs Monaco has co-chaired the event with Cyndi DaSilva.

Newtown’s Social Services director, Ann Piccini, determines the list of recipients. Only her office knows the identities of those on the list. This year, 65 families received baskets.

Each family is given a number and contributing groups are given a description with how many people, number of children/ages, and pets and particular items requested. Families can also indicate if they want a turkey, ham or chicken.

One of the wonderful things about Newtowners is their willingness to help others. Schools, churches, Scout troops, civic organizations and private individuals all give generously when the call goes out.

Food, toiletries, household items, and baby and pet items, if needed, are provided. WIN provides bread, eggs, butter and milk.

“This year, the Newtown Lions Club provided the funds for fresh food,” said Mrs Monaco. Big Y coins and gift cards for turkeys are included in the baskets.

The goal is to provide supplies to carry the families from Thanksgiving through the Christmas season.

High school, middle school and St Rose students help carry boxes as carloads of food arrive at the United Methodist Church for distribution, which took place on November 17.

Newtown High School, Newtown Middle School and Reed Intermediate School all held canned goods  drives. Housatonic Waldorf School and Fraser-Woods Montessori School both held food drives.

Sandy Hook School held their annual Turkey Trot on November 9. To participate, students had to bring in canned goods.

Head O’ Meadow School adopted 10 families, each grade donating items for two families. Middle Gate School has been collecting food for 20 families for a number of years.

The hundreds of pounds of food amassed in the church’s hall will make the season merrier, for both the recipients and the givers.