High energy fuels energy independence fest

For sixth year, MoGreena complex a model for recycling fun, entertainment  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The Brad Hinton Band was one of the musical groups that provided entertainment. MODENA – One visit to the Waste Oil Recyclers and Organic Mechanics Energy Independence Day – an ecologically-friendly, family-oriented festival that was held for the sixth time on Sunday,...

Hunger to help needy sets up massive donation

Chester County Food Bank, volunteers gratefully accept  Wegmans’ bounty By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The Chester County Food Bank was the site of a massive, high-energy assembly line as  more than 30 volunteers sorted a giant food donation from Wegmans. At first glance, the energetic crew efficiently exchanging cartons and banter at the Chester County Food Bank looked...

Agencies reach out to neighborhood in need

Chester County Food Bank, Red Cross join forces to feed residents Agencies are uniting in an effort to take care of approximately 100 residents of Downingtown who experienced severe flooding in their homes and still have no power. Volunteers will walk and drive the Brandywine neighborhood to deliver food and drinks to households who haven’t eaten in 24 hours as a result of the flooding. They will...

Chester County Women’s Commission bestows awards

Recipients range from veteran social-service role models to student volunteers By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell introduces Empowered Young Woman award-winner Christine Luczka (right). She is joined by Jeannine McCullough, vice chair of the Chester County Women’s Commission. A distinguished roster of female honorees received well-deserved...

Dinniman to serve as ‘Food fight’ referee

Sen. Andy Dinniman (center) tries to keep things from getting out of hand as Jack Hines and Bernie Orglmeister of the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club (left)  and Tom Gugerty and Greg Hines of the Coatesville Rotary Club (left) make their case as to why their respective clubs will win the food fight to benefit the Chester County Food Bank. Thorndale-Downingtown, Coatesville Rotary clubs to battle...

First Niagara supports Chester County Food Bank

Financial group delivers $10,000 to assist with feeding hungry First Niagara’s Allan Burkley (from left) poses with Robert MacNeil, board chairman of the Chester County Food Bank; Larry Welsch, its executive director; and Bob Kane, First Niagara’s eastern Pennsylvania regional president. First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. announced in a news release that it recently gave a $10,000 grant...

Ambitious appetite prompts Food Bank move

Chester County nonprofit’s plethora of produce, volunteers outgrows space By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Larry Welsch, executive director of the Chester County Food Bank, surveys some of the current, cramped office space, which features overflow storage on the floor. When the Chester County Food Bank rose from the ashes of its bankrupt predecessor in 2009, it did so with an...

Growth spurt happening on multiple levels in Modena

Energy Independence Day festival expanding – along with Mogreena Garden Project By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The Fifth Annual Energy Independence Festival will be held Sunday in Modena at Waste Oil Recyclers. The creative folks in Modena who turned recycling into a successful business venture have taken the same approach to celebrations: Expand and innovate. On Sunday, Waste...

Benefactor’s largesse: from soup to nuts

Wegmans steps up to fill Food Bank’s bare cupboards By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A high-energy crew of Wegmans employees formed an assembly line inside the warehouse of the Chester County Food Bank, where they sorted the donation of 18,000 pounds of food. The crew of about 15 employees from Wegmans’ Downingtown supermarket demonstrated well-honed skills, juggling cartons,...