All Faiths Pantry celebrates 10th anniversary: Sun Postings - cleveland.com

All Faiths Pantry celebrates 10th anniversary: Sun Postings - cleveland.com

PARMA, Ohio – John Visnauskas got the idea for All Faiths Pantry after a stint working at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The Parma resident saw a need to help seniors with mobility issues. If they were disabled or couldn't get to the store for one reason or another, it was a challenge.

"They were unserved," Visnauskas said.

In 2006, one of Visnauskas' friends who went to the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Parma came up with the concept of an All Faiths Pantry. "We wanted to extend ourselves to people of all faiths," Visnauskas said.

The All Faiths Pantry is now celebrating its 10^th anniversary, and Visnauskas and the AFP business manager Jeff Fowler run the operation out of a new location at the corner of W. 48^th Street and Memphis Avenue in Old Brooklyn. They serve over 350 households every month with three tons of food.

An army of over 120 volunteers distributes bags of perishable and non-perishable groceries to households in Parma, Parma Heights, Old Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Middleburg Heights, Berea, Brook Park and North Royalton.

If any senior citizens would like to get help through the All Faiths Pantry, they can call the AFP office at 216-496-4329 or visit allfaithspantry.org.

Treat & Greet: It's that time of year again. The sixth annual "Treat & Greet" in Polish Village will be from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Oct. 29. The passport cards to be stamped are available at participating merchants along Ridge Road in Polish Village. There will be drawings for prizes at 3:30 p.m.

Follow the list with map and have the business validate your passport as you visit their shop. Completed passports will earn an entry for the Grand Prize.

All completed passports should be dropped at 5773 Ridge Road no later than 3:15 p.m. that day.

Hall Of Famers: Padua Franciscan High School inducted ten new members into the Hall of Fame Oct. 13. For the first time, Padua inducted women into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Heather (Longar) Barber '89 was honored for her basketball and volleyball accomplishments. She now lives with her family in Brecksville. Tracy (Tabaczynski) Shuman '97 was honored for her contributions to Padua's volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She is now a Seven Hills resident and has a family.

The following are Athletic Award Recipients: Heather (Longar) Barber '89, Tracy (Tabaczynski) Shuman '97, Rock Supan '75, Chuck Smith '83 and Rick Miller '81.

Rich DiGeronimo and Sally Brody received Padua Partner Award Recipients, honored for making a major contribution to Padua through volunteerism or other service.

The following received Outstanding Alumnus Awards, honored for making a major impact either in service to Padua, service to the the community, or achievement in their chosen field of work: Brian Heinzerling '86 and Nick Marra '76.

Fr. Mario Dicicco received the Franciscan Medal Award Recipient, honored for actively working toward the advancement of education of young people at Padua or in the Parma area.  

Beer & Chocolate: A new organization called Young Professionals of Parma is hosting a "Beer & Chocolate Pairing Party" at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Brew House in Parma Heights.

They are showcasing local chocolate vendors and featuring local musicians. A $5 ticket gets you three chocolate samples and three beer samples. There will also be free pizza. The event is geared toward all ages. 

Normandy Night: Come on out for Normandy Invaders Night at the Cavaliers-Raptors game at Quicken Loans Arena Nov. 15. Ticket are $35, and along with your tickets to the game, you'll receive complementary tickets to the Dec. 16th Cleveland Monsters game against Wild Iowa.

The first 10,000 fans attending the Cleveland Monsters game will receive a Calder Cup Champions fleece blanket.  This is also $1 Pepsi product, $2 Sugardale hot dog and $3 beer night.  To order your tickets, send an email to dkweazer@aol.com. 

Halloween Extravaganza: The Tri-C West Faculty Senate Service and Collegiality Committee will have a free Halloween party from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 29 at the campus Liberal Arts B Atrium.

There will be candy, games, crafts and learning activities for kids (ages 2-10). Costumes are encouraged. The cost is canned and packaged goods that will be donated to the Tri-C Student Food Bank.

Contact Jen Skop at 216-987-5039 or email her at Jennifer.skop@tri-c.edu.

More Information: Don't forget to send me any news or updates about your group or club at marklholan@yahoo.com