August 30, 2023

Gray House kicks of annual ‘Fill the Plate’ fundraiser

REGIONAL
Staff Report 

SPRINGFIELD –The Gray House, a nonprofit organization in the North End of Springfield, is kicking off its ninth annual “Fill the Plate, Feed a Family Challenge,” a fundraising initiative which will run throughout the entire month of September.

 All proceeds will directly support the Market at Gray House, an emergency food assistance program which provides nutritious groceries to food insecure households throughout the greater Springfield community.

Gray House board members invite the community to join them in raising funds for and awareness of local food insecurity through the agency’s annual “Fill the Plate, Feed a Family Challenge.” The empty plates represent all of the families that would go hungry without the community’s support of the Market at Gray House. Pictured from left to right, back row: James Montemayor, Thomas Shea, Barbara Spear. Left to right, front row: Jennifer Putnam, Margaret Beturne, Luz Mercado. (Photo/Kristen McClintock)

The organization has set a goal of raising $15,000 through the initiative and is asking the community to help them reach this goal. Efforts to meet this goal are already underway with contributions from several individuals and local businesses, including $2,500 Platinum Plate Sponsorships from Country Bank and Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.

“Since opening in 1984, The Gray House has been deeply committed to addressing local food insecurity, as adequate nutrition is paramount to the health and well-being of the families we serve. Last year, we provided groceries to an average of 4,887 individuals per month, and this year, we are on track to surpass that number, setting a new agency record for average individuals served per month. The way I see it, every dollar raised through this initiative equates to one less empty cupboard in our community, or one less child who goes to bed hungry at night,” said Kristen McClintock, executive director of The Gray House.  

The community is encouraged to donate at www.GrayHouse.org/FillThePlate/ throughout the month of September. Donors can then take a photo holding an empty plate to represent all of the families that would go hungry without The Market at Gray House and post to social media, encouraging their network to join them in supporting the cause.

The community can also support the agency by eating at Hot Table on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tower Square location at 1500 Main St., Springfield. Fifty percent of proceeds from sales throughout the day will benefit The Gray House. Patrons must present the cashier with a fundraising flyer, which can be found at www.GrayHouse.org.

Since beginning this fundraising initiative in 2015, The Gray House has raised more than $103,000 to support its food assistance operations.