"Foodraiser" held for Rachel's Table

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Hunger affects hundreds of western Massachusetts families and on Sunday, for some their weekly grocery shopping trip turned into something much more meaningful at the Longmeadow Big Y.

Rachel's Table held their annual “Foodraiser” and collected food items for low-income families here in the Pioneer Valley.

“I grew up here, so when we can bring it home a little bit more local, it does hit home to the folks that need it the most,” said Addie Stiles of Holyoke.

Rachel's Table's “Foodraiser” is unique because non-perishable items are not the only items they accept, but they also encourage people to donate items like fresh meat, fresh produce and dairy products.

The “Foodraiser” also offered a fun challenge.

Shoppers won prizes in categories like "Greatest amount of money saved" and "Highest percentage saved."

“I think the fact that it's a challenge makes it more fun, and you begin to see people who are homeless and people who are hungry, and you begin to think about it. It makes you more aware,” said Sarai Merno, a Loomis Chaffee School student.

Many people told 22News the “Foodraiser” is one of the easiest ways to help local families who go to bed hungry every night.

“I live in Las Vegas. We have a lot of homeless people. It's always hit me pretty hard, so I just wanted to do what I could in the time that I could,” said Alyssa Reamy, a Loomis Chaffee School student.

“It's actually wonderful to see this many people coming out to see that there are people just like us who want to give back as well,” said David Fuentes of East Longmeadow.

All the food collected on Sunday was sent to local food pantries and soup kitchens.