New England Patriots Food Drive Will Benefit Norwood Pantry

Volunteers at the Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood will be rooting extra hard for the New England Patriots this coming Sunday, Nov. 18. 

Not just for a victory over the Indianapolis Colts – but for a big turnout of generous fans, who’ll come to Gillette Stadium toting cans, bags and boxes of non-perishable food to donate to the Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism Food Drive.

“We’ve been notified by the Patriots that the Norwood Food Pantry will be one of the local hunger-fighting organizations that will benefit from this year’s drive,” says Ruth Taeger, Executive Director. “And we’re absolutely thrilled to receive this kind of wonderful help and support from our favorite team.”

The food drive is part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative. With this special focus on volunteerism, the Kraft family and the Foundation honor Myra Kraft’s lifetime commitment to philanthropy and charitable service.

If you’re a Patriots ticket-holder, you can help by picking up a few extra items to share with your neighbors in need next time you visit the grocery store – and then dropping them off at the collection bins that will be set up at the uBid.com, Bank of America, and Patriot Place gate on game day, Nov. 18.

But if you’re planning to watch the game from the comfort of your living room couch, you can still participate in this special drive by making a donation anytime this week at the bins in the Patriots’ corporate offices or the Pro Shop. 

You can also help fight hunger by dropping off a gift of food at the Norwood Food Pantry at 150 Chapel Street (rear entrance of Grace Episcopal Church) Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. or Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. Or you can put it in the pantry’s regular collection boxes, which are located at the Morrill Memorial Library and at the local Hannaford, Shaw’s, and Stop & Shop supermarkets. 

All donations of non-perishable food are welcome. Items especially needed at this time include:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Tuna, meats, and stews
• Baked beans and chili
• Juice and juice boxes
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Soup (especially chunky varieties and chowders)
• Packaged dinners and potato mixes
• Macaroni and cheese
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Rice
• Cake and brownie mixes
• Baby food

For health reasons, all donations must be unopened and not past their expiration date.

“Coming as it does, so close to Thanksgiving, the Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism Food Drive is a terrific way to give thanks for our own good fortune by sharing with those who are going through tough times,” Taeger said. “We are deeply grateful to the entire Patriots organization for this outstanding opportunity – and to everyone who contributes for their caring and kindness.”