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12/08/2020 11:00 PM

Pine Orchard Neighbors Helping Branford Food Pantry


Two young women raised in Pine Orchard, Diane Mauro Donohue and Summer Wies, have organized a food drive and online fundraiser to benefit the Branford Food Pantry. They've raised over $3,000 raised to date and will be holding a second collection of food donations on Sund. Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pine Orchard Association office, 180 Pine Orchard Road in Branford.Photo Courtesy Pine Orchard Association

Two young women raised in Pine Orchard, Diane Mauro Donohue and Summer Wies, wanted to help those facing hunger because of the pandemic. How to do that? A food drive to benefit the Branford Food Pantry, whose mission is to provide groceries for those in need.

Donohue has said she is very concerned that "the demand for resources is particularly acute this year due to loss of jobs, reduced hours and illness related to the COVID-19 pandemic."  She and Wies also felt that they wanted to do something that would help to "...end this unbelievably challenging year on a positive note."

They have created a Pine Orchard Holiday Food Drive  GoFund me page directly linked to the Branford Food Pantry. The page, which was created by Wies on Nov. 29 with the goal of raising $3,000 by December 18, has exceeded the goal (raising $3,785 as of Dec. 9), and donations are continuing to come in.

Donohue and Wies also collected food items on Sunday, Dec. 6 and will be collecting again on Sunday, December 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pine Orchard Association office at 180 Pine Orchard Road.

In this season of giving and gratitude, their efforts to feed the hungry are particularly meaningful.