Community Food Drive 2025
 Springfield Park, Queens, NY

Gregory Hudson

On Saturday, July 19th, 2025, Volunteers for Springfield Park, Inc. (VFSP), in partnership with Fine Fare Supermarket, assembled more than 200 bags filled with perishable and non-perishable products for community distribution. This day also served to highlight the recently planted Cherry Grove area for the food drive. Located away from the busier new barbecue zone, basketball court, and the pickleball and tennis courts, this area offered a quieter spot for the event.

Many volunteers packed bags containing penne pasta, cans of corn, green beans, red kidney beans, and black beans. Fine Fare Supermarket delivered boxes of perishable items to the park, including jasmine rice, potatoes, and onions.

Two tables were arranged for distribution, with an additional table for registration. The first table handled registration and voucher tickets; the second contained the bags prepared by volunteers, which were reusable bags featuring the VFSP logo. A third table was designated for Fine Fare Supermarket. Volunteers at Springfield Park were given a one-hour window, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to carry out the distribution. However, after 45 minutes, it became clear that more time was necessary. Over 90 people queued to receive food bags and were pleasantly surprised to receive two bags of goods.

Everyone appreciated the food, and some showed interest in volunteering again. It was moving to see the smiles of those receiving the bags. This was our second food drive, and it definitely won’t be our last.