To the editor: BRGNS thanks Okemo staff, skiers, ambassadors for successful food drive

From left, Okemo volunteers Sarah, Heather, Dan and Michelle collect food from skiers at the Okemo base lodge on Sunday, March 29.

The volunteers, employees and clients of Black River Good Neighbor Services in Ludlow extend their sincere thanks to the staff and skiers at Okemo for their generosity at the annual Cares and Shares spring food drive.

Special thanks go to the Okemo Mountain Ambassadors who skipped skiing on a beautiful Sunday morning to help collect nonperishable food items and cash in return for discounted lift tickets. Altogether, skiers donated over 60 boxes of food for the BRGNS food shelves and a substantial amount of cash.

“We look forward to Okemo’s spring Cares and Shares food drive each year,” said Audrey Bridge, executive director at BRGNS. “It helps us to fill our food shelves for the coming spring and summer months. Hunger knows no season, and it is a big assist to have a partner like Okemo.”

Twice each ski season Okemo holds this food drive, which gives skiers a significant discount on their day of skiing in return for a few cans, jars or boxes of food. The next such day will be held at the beginning of the 2015-16 ski season and will be announced on Okemo’s website.

Black River Good Neighbor Services operates the food shelf all year for residents of Ludlow, Cavendish, Plymouth and Mount Holly. It also operates a thrift store to defray the cost of the food shelf and other assistance programs. For more information on BRGNS, to donate, or to volunteer, please call Audrey at 802-228-3663.
Peter LaBelle
Black River Good Neighbor Services