November 28, 2005
Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release
738-2000, ext. 6205

Mayor Scott Avedisian to make a Holiday Donation to the Westbay Marketplace

WARWICK – Instead of sending out his annual holiday cards this year, Mayor Scott Avedisian will instead make a donation to the Westbay Marketplace, he announced today.

The facility, located on Buttonwoods Avenue, opened in August, is a food “cupboard of choice” for families and individuals in need and the city’s first centralized food cupboard.

This multi-agency, collaborative effort allows individuals and families in emergency situations to select a three-day supply of food from the Marketplace. Clients are screened in order for WestBay social workers to determine if they are eligible for other services (rental assistance, for example) and are be referred, if necessary, to programs such as food stamps, commodities or WIC, which will provide them with monthly assistance in paying for food.

Clients are also able to select canned goods, meat, fresh vegetables, dairy products, and bread and pastry items. Quantities are limited based on the size of the family and by product type in order to ensure that each family is getting a nutritionally-balanced selection.

Last year marked the first year Avedisian decided to forgo sending cards in favor of making a donation to a local non-profit, noting that he could think of no better way to honor his family, friends and employees than making a donation to organizations that would have long-lasting, positive effects on the community.

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