A recent food and household items drive by an Agawam family will be distributed to clients in such CHD programs as Rapid Rehousing, Maternity Group Home, Foster Care, and Basic Center (emergency youth shelter).

This initiative’s roots were planted five years ago, when Isabella Castro, now a University of Hartford student, began a clothing drive for CHD, which has since morphed into a campaign to collect non-perishable food items and household goods such as cleaners and paper products. Her brother, Antonio, also a student at the University of Hartford, took the reins when he was an Agawam High School student, organizing the clothing drive while she was away at college.

The drive has been assisted by their sisters Arianna and Julianna, who are Agawam High ninth- and tenth-graders, respectively. Isabella had “no idea” that she had started a lasting tradition five years ago. “I think it’s really cool that it’s being done every year,” she said. The goods, which had “taken over” the Castros’ garage, were brought to CHD’s Community Based Services offices before being transported to various programs.