By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — The Sunshine Initiative wrapped up its first food drive with a thank you reception at Taverne on the Square on Saturday, Nov. 18.
The food drive reached nine locations across Sullivan County, collected more than 300 items and raised more than $500 each for the Newport Area Association of Churches, Claremont Soup Kitchen, the Springfield Family Center and the Town of Sunapee Food Pantry.
Sunshine Initiative Founder Jay Lucas was humbled and impressed by supporters’ love and willingness to create positive community change.
“One of the major values of the Sunshine Initiative and the Eagle Times is to support the community and for everybody to be revitalized and bring everybody up,” said Lucas. “Not only for people who have, but people looking for food and resources for Thanksgiving.”
He said eliminating food insecurity is the end-goal.
“It’s so wonderful to see the joy here, not only from the people who receive but the people who give,” Lucas said. “If you can work together with volunteers to help the community, that makes us all feel good and invested.”
He said Sunshine Initiative Operations Director Virgina Drye did amazing work throughout the drive.
“She is the motivating force that put this food drive together,” Lucas said. “When you get a spark of imagination, activity and energy, all things become possible. There have been hundreds of people involved trying to help, and that only happens when you have a dedicated leader like Virginia.”
Crown Point Senior Designer Tamara Herrmann is part of a generous company that donates to great companies and affiliates, including the Sunshine Initiative.
“We have our Charity Committee, and that money is donated from our employees,” she said. “We meet every two months and get requests from places like local youth soccer, and we donated to an employee who had a house fire.”
She appreciates the employees who pick and choose charities.
“Owner Brian Stowell runs the business; it’s family-run, and Brian’s father started the business,” said Herrmann. “A lot of his family still works there.”
Wendy Hilliard, HR manager at Eichenauer Inc., said the Newport-based company knows things are difficult for many, and supports the work of the Sunshine Initiative.
“We want to be able to support people in the hopefulness the Sunshine Initiative provides them,” said Hilliard.
Sunshine Initiative Executive Director Brian Hettrick said the Initiative has a very local approach and is cognizant of food insecurity.
“That’s what sparked the whole food drive and got a lot of people on board, and it’s a great thing to do this time of year,” said Hettrick. “We need to start modeling good community behavior. We need to see some positive things. The Sunshine Report is all about positive things. People are hungry for that sort of thing.”
Sunshine Initiative collaborator Jon Ross heard about the food drive and ensured donation boxes were distributed widely.
“Most places were very receptive,” said Ross. “Some businesses are very generous and donated anywhere from $250 to $1,000.”
When Ross saw the percentage of food-insecure people in the area, he decided to get involved.
“It’s not something I’ve ever had to deal with; nobody should have to deal with going hungry,” said Ross.
For more information, visit sunshineinitiative.org.
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