Second annual ‘Sal’s Food Drive’ to help Survival Center
NORTHAMPTON — A private hair salon studio in downtown Northampton is once again spearheading a food drive to help those in need.
Telebelle Salon, located at 25 Main St. Suite 443 in Northampton, is hosting “Sal’s Food Drive” from Oct. 3 to Nov. 3 to collect unexpired, non-perishable food items for the Northampton Survival Center.
Juls Marchetto, the owner and master stylist for Telebelle, told Reminder Publishing that she hopes to exceed the 620 pounds of food collected during the inaugural drive in 2022.
“The First Annual Sal’s Food Drive was a total success, and I was blown away by everyone’s generosity,” Marchetto said. “My hope for this year is to exceed 620 pounds of food, and I’m determined to do it. Achieving that goal will mean we were able to help even more people in our community than we did last year.”
The food drive started in 2022 as a way for Marchetto to help the community while simultaneously honoring her father Salvatore Persico, who passed away in 2020.
In an interview last year, Marchetto said she grew up in a large Italian family where her father’s love language was food and togetherness. He loved making pasta, meatballs, pepperoni bread and he also participated in the “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” a famous Italian American Christmas Eve celebration with dishes of fish and other seafood. He also celebrated Marchetto’s birthday with her own favorite dish of fettuccine alfredo.
Marchetto said when people did not have a place to stay or congregate for the holidays, her father was the first person to invite them over.
“I think sort of circling back to that, and just having food never be an issue for me and my family … and my dad’s desire to just bring people together and gather, and cook and provide, was just sort of this all-encompassing way to check all the boxes of what I was trying to do,” said Marchetto, last year. “It’s also giving my clients an opportunity to help out and fill a need and their desire to give back, but maybe not know how too.”
All types of unexpired non-perishable food items are welcome, but the most requested items from the Survival Center include canned chicken, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, cereal, chicken noodle soup, macaroni and cheese, fruit juice and much more.
Marchetto said customers can drop their items off when they have appointments. Those who do not have an appointment or are not customers can drop items off at their convenience. The general business hours at Telebelle are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Occasionally, Marchetto said the hours may vary, so those who wish to donate are encouraged to reach out to her via email or phone to confirm a drop-off time: JulsMarchetto@telebelle.com or 413-896-0264. If people are unable to venture out, but want to help, they can make a monetary donation.
Oct. 3, 2023 | Ryan Feyre