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Buy a light, change a life
(by Kim Lunsford, staff writer - October 28, 2011)
In the past year, the number of families the PCMA Food Pantry of Pickerington has served has increased by 25 percent.
“We’re still seeing an increase with every month higher than last year,” said Dianna Kassouf, the pantry’s director.
The food pantry is funded solely through donations from the community, and to help offset the rising costs of assisting more families, the pantry will once again hold its annual Plaza of Lights holiday fundraiser this year.
In its fourth year, the fundraiser’s theme is “Buy a Light, Change a Life.”
For a minimum donation of $5, residents can sponsor a light on the strings of lights decorating the trees outside the food pantry in the nearby plaza. For $125, residents, groups, businesses and families can sponsor a whole string of lights.
As the donations come in, additional plaza lights will begin to glow, representing the community’s commitment to those in need.
As the pantry’s largest fundraiser, organizers hope the Plaza of Lights will collect at least $22,000.
A kick-off event for the Plaza of Lights is being sponsored by Olde Pickerington Village Business Association. On Nov. 5, volunteers will be on the streets with buckets collecting cash donations.
“This is the first year for this type of kick-off event,” Kassouf said. “People can drive by and make contributions.”
Those individuals wanting to contribute to the Plaza of Lights fundraiser can do so by downloading and filling out a form from the pantry’s website, www.pcmafoodpantry.com. Forms are also available at Pickerington City Hall, Violet Township Hall or the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce.
For other ways to donate, go to www.pcmafoodpantry.com. Donations may be mailed to PCMA Food Pantry, P.O. Box 914, Pickerington, OH 43147.
For more information, call (614) 834-0079.
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