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Neighbors Helping Neighbors: HCU Food Drive
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: HCU Food Drive
Posted: Sep 21, 2026
October 13 - November 13, 2026
📍 Holyoke Branch | 📍 West Springfield Branch | 📍 Feeding Hills Branch
At HCU, we believe strong communities are built when people look out for one another.
This fall, we’re putting that belief into action with a community food drive supporting The Parish Cupboard in West Springfield and Margaret's Pantry in Holyoke.
From October 13 through November 13, HCU will collect canned goods and non-perishable items at our branches. Donations will help support individuals and families in the communities we serve.
Neighbors helping neighbors meets people helping people.
We’re proud to support organizations doing this important work right here in the community.
The Parish Cupboard's motto, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors," captures something we believe deeply at HCU, peple are stronger when we help one another.
That's why we're bringing together two organizations that share a commitment to helping local neighbors and making sure our communities have access to the resources they need.
Donations collected at our West Springfield and Feeding Hills branches will support The Parish Cupboard, while donations collected at our Holyoke branch will support Margaret's Pantry, helping us make an impact in each of the communities we call home.
What Can You Donate?
We're collecting canned goods and non-perishable items, with a special focus on items currently needed by our community partners.
Some of the most-needed items include:
| Pantry Staples | Breakfast & Baking | Drinks & Condiments |
|---|---|---|
| Canned Beans | Pancake Mix | Coffee & Tea |
| Canned Vegetables | Cereal | Shelf-stable Milk |
| Canned Tomatoes | Oatmeal | Shelf-stable Juice |
| Canned Soup | Breakfast Bars / Granola Bars | Ketchup |
| Canned Chicken or Tuna | Cornbread or Muffin Mix | Shelf-stable Condiments |
| Boxed Meals | Cake, Brownies, or Dessert Mixes | Cooking Oil |
| Macaroni & Cheese | Maple Syrup | Spices & Seasonings |
| Pasta & Pasta Sauce | Flour | |
| Rice | Sugar | |
| Instant Mashed Potatoes | ||
| Stuffing | ||
| Peanut Butter & Jelly |
How to help
It’s easy to participate.
1. Pick up a few extra items on your next grocery trip. Whether it’s one can or a whole bag of groceries, every donation helps.
2. Bring your donation to any HCU branch. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at:
- Holyoke Branch. Donations will benefit Margaret's Pantry, supporting the Holyoke community.
- West Springfield Branch. Donations will benefit The Parish Cupboard, supporting local neighbors in West Springfield, Agawam, and Feeding Hills.
- Feeding Hills Branch. Donations will benefit The Parish Cupboard, supporting local neighbors in West Springfield, Agawam, and Feeding Hills.
3. We’ll make sure your donation gets where it's needed. That’s it. No complicated process. Just neighbors helping neighbors.
One Bag Can Make a Difference.
Food insecurity doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes it’s a family trying to stretch a grocery budget. Sometimes it’s a neighbor facing an unexpected expense. Sometimes it’s someone who simply needs a little help getting through a difficult season.
That’s why community support matters.
A can of soup.
A box of pancake mix.
A jar of ketchup.
A box of mashed potatoes.
One item may seem small. But when a community comes together, those small contributions become shelves full of food and a little more breathing room for our neighbors.
Let’s fill the shelves together.