NORWICH – Representatives from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Catholic Charities, Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County and The Place received “sizable donations” Tuesday from American Legion Post #189, according to Commander Brian Joy.

“We normally donate to these organizations annually and our goal is to help out in the community in any way we can,” said Joy.

United Church of Christ Pastor Joe Connolly, who also acts as president for the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Food Pantry program, said that, due to the strictly volunteer status of the program’s staff, “every dollar the Food Pantry receives goes directly toward the purchase of the food we give out to those in need in the Norwich area.”

Gary Quarella, director of community outreach programs for Catholic Charities, said the donation will be utilized in conjunction with the organization’s Roots and Wings program toward the purchase of foodstuffs, its clothing bank, household goods, literacy tools and housing and utility assistance programs.