by Bea Peterson
Chowders, roast beef, pizza, pasta, wings, subs, shrimp, ice cream, cookies and much, much more were available for the sampling at the Hoosick Area Church Association Taste of Hoosick at St. Mary’s Academy on Sunday, May 5. While tasting the delicious food, folks enjoyed an excellent musical program presented first by Bill Gaillard and The Stardusters, followed by The Word of Life Singers from The Word of Life Bible Institute at Schroon Lake and winding up with show tunes by Bill Brown on piano and Martha von Schilgen on violin.
[private]As if that wasn’t enough, there were over 80 silent auction items to inspire some friendly bidding among the tasters. The variety ran from foodstuff to garden stuff to entertainment to art. It was an impressive assortment with something for everyone.
St. Mary’s gym looked festive and exciting. Sunshine filled the room brightening everyone’s spirits. It was a fun day. Part of the fun was knowing others would benefit from all the work put into the event. To date the Taste has raised $5,842 for the Food Pantry, about a thousand dollars ahead of last year’s total at this time.
Director Dianne Hosterman noted that in addition these funds, the Girl Scout food drive last weekend brought in 700 pieces of non-perishable food and the Post Office drive is coming up very soon. These donations are all very helpful as this past year the Food Pantry experienced a 10 percent increase in usage. The Pantry provided 42,273 meals to 4,697 men, women and children in the Hoosick area. Generous community support makes all this possible.
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