Community Corner

Bartolomeo Serves Soup at Food Kitchen Benefit

Annual Amazing Challenge Soup Supper raises funds to allow Amazing Grace to continue serving nearly 1,000 families each month

Sen. Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) and Senator Paul Doyle (D-Middletown) worked alongside Middletown firefighters and other local officials Oct. 11 at the Amazing Challenge Soup Supper. 

The “celebrity servers” passed out soup to the large crowd of people who came to support the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Hundreds of people came to donate to the food pantry and enjoy the nine different soups being served. Last year the event raised $10,465 for the food pantry, and this year organizers hope to do even better.

The late South District Firefighter Michael Osiecki, who passed away Oct. 13, can been seen in his chef's apron at the left rear of the video. He served his hot and hot-so-hot chili at the benefit.

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“Feeding the hungry is an important issue to be taken on in Connecticut, and I am inspired to see so many come out in support of this cause,” said Senator Bartolomeo. 

“The recent government shutdown has put a lot of strain on families across Connecticut, increasing demand for support to get through this difficult time, and it is great to see the people of Middletown working together to support their neighbors. Middletown has agreed to award a grant to Amazing Grace Food Pantry if they can raise $45,000 by June 30. If the number of bowls of soup I handed out is any indication, I think they are well on their way to meeting that goal.”

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“The Amazing Grace Food Pantry provides a vital service to our neighbors in need,” said Senator Doyle. “Hunger is a problem that affects far too many people every day, and I am glad to see the people of Middletown standing together in support of a goal as important as feeding the hungry in our community. Thousands of people are able to feed their families every year thanks to the work of the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, and I am honored to have had this opportunity to help.”

The Amazing Challenge Soup Supper began several years ago, when the City of Middletown agreed to give a matching grant of $22,500 if the food pantry could raise $45,000. Every year this goal has been reached, and the grant is a vital part of the funding that keeps the Amazing Grace Food Pantry running. On average, the food pantry helps feed 960 families each month.

Anyone interested in learning about how they can contribute to the food pantry can visit www.svdmiddletown.org/donate.html.


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