It has been an annual tradition of the Belmont Citizen-Herald and Wicked Local Belmont to give back to the community through the Gifts of Hope campaign to benefit the Belmont Food Pantry. Every year, the campaign raises thousands of much needed dollars for the pantry which helps feed the families of 200 Belmont families in need. Local businesses such as Savinos, 449 Common St., Belmont choose a date to host a fundraiser and give a percentage of sales to Gifts of Hope.
On Dec. 5, dine at Savinos, 449 Common St., and owner Tom Cutrone will donate a portion of the sales from dinner to the Belmont Food Pantry. This is his way of giving back to the Belmont community by supporting one of its major annual fundraisers. Call ahead to make your reservation, 617-484-3499.
Save some of your holiday shopping for local stores in Belmont Center on Dec. 13 including Bells & Whistles, Toy Shop of Belmont, Westcott Mercantile, Thirty Petals Boutique, Revolve, Bessie Blue and Champions who are donating a percentage of sales to Gifts of Hope. Each of these independently-owned stores offers unique gifts and personalized service for everyone on your list. Even if you're not sure what to get, a staff member will be on hand to assist. Many of these businesses have struggled as a result of parking challenges due to construction and the Macy's vacancy but they still want to give back to the Belmont community and Gifts of Hope is one of the major ways they are able to do it.
Cushing Square merchants including Karenna Maraj, Barrow and Bates, Belmont Consignment, The Spirited Gourmet, Shasaleen Salon and Day Spa, Salon 455, Westcott Mercantile, Zia's Clothing Outlet and The Barber's Den held fundraisers on Nov. 29. Several local businesses such as Quebrada Baking Company, Belmont Car Wash, Attorney Laura Panos, Patty McTague and Anne Mahon of ReMax Leading Edge and Lynn Findlay of Coldwell Banker have also made monetary donations totalling more than $3,000 to date.
"Throughout the year,the bakery supports many auctions, sporting fundraisers, school fundraisers etc. However, we put the Food Pantry and the Gifts of Hope campaign in a whole different category. Families struggling to put food on the table deserve our most generous attention. Quebrada is grateful to our customers who make it possible for us to help the most needy in our wonderful town," said Kay Kretchmar, owner of Quebrada Baking Company.
Be sure to tune into Belmont Media Center's "Season of Giving," featuring local musicians, bands and entertainers, holiday greetings and on-air donations from local businesses, families, town officials and community leaders and promoting a variety of charitable groups, efforts and causes like the Gifts of Hope, Toys for Tots, Heading Home, Belmont Lions Club, and more. Belmont Season of Giving air across all BMC Local TV Channels for Comcast and Verizon viewers and online at belmontmedia.org during the weekend of Dec. 17 and 18.
