News

St. Patrick's Parade Food Drive Aims to Help the Area's Hungry

February 28, 2010

In remembrance of one of the most horrific and defining periods in Irish history, the Irish Famine, the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee will once again be conducting a food drive in conjunction with this year's parade. St. Patrick's Day Parade attendees and marchers are asked to bring non-perishable food items, which will be collected during the parade and turned over to Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen at the St. Joseph-St. Patrick Parish Center. Last year's food drive raised over $500 and over 600 lbs. of food, and St. Patrick's Day Parade Director Kevin Dowling is confident that this year's total will be even greater. "The Irish Famine, or the Great Hunger, caused the deaths of over one million men, women, and children in Ireland," said Dowling. "This food drive commemorates the needless suffering and great loss of life and reminds us that there is still a need to help feed the hungry, beginning right here in our community." People can drop their food items in receptacles marked by "Remembering the Irish Famine" signs, located near the start of the parade, and spectators may also drop their donations into wheelbarrows traveling along the parade route. Chris Hoke, who, with the assistance of Adorino Construction and the Holland Patent High School Honor Society, is chairing the drive, notes that the food drive will also gladly accept any cash donations that are offered in lieu of food, and volunteers will be available along the route to facilitate those offerings as well. For more information, or to volunteer for the Food Drive in any capacity, please contact Chris Hoke at (315) 827-4291. The March 13th Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest in New York State, starts at 10:00 a.m. at Oneida Square and continues down Genesee St. to Columbia St.; with the Reviewing Stand once again located at the Stanley Theater.