Tioga County businesses partner with Catholic Charities for successful Festa Italiana fundraiser

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga held a well-attended Festa Italiana pasta dinner on Wednesday, June 7 to raise funds for the agency’s programming in Tioga County. The event, hosted at the Owego Elks Lodge, raised nearly $4000, thanks to the generosity of the dinner guests and event sponsors.  

Guest chef and Owego Town Supervisor Don Castellucci orchestrated Festa Italiana. Local Boy Scout troop 60 provided volunteer servers and clean-up crew.

The following Tioga businesses, organizations and individuals sponsored the fundraiser.

At the Platinum level: Tioga Urbanscapes; at the Gold level: Lourdes Hospital, Steve and Cheryl May, Owego Rotary Club, Tioga State Bank and Tom Ash Agency; at the Silver level: Lawler’s Liquor and Grocery Store, The Kitchen Store, Left Bank, Owego Pharmacy, Partners Insurance Agency, Susquehanna Screen Printers and Visions Federal Credit Union; at the Bronze level: Gail’s Diner, Ted Clark’s Busy Market and Up the Creek Consignment Boutique.

Presentations by Lockwood resident Jim Pratt, a mentor in Catholic Charities Youth Engagement Services Program and by Waverly resident, Rosemary Pellett, a volunteer at Catholic Charities food pantry located at the Nichols office, illustrated Catholic Charities’ work in Tioga County. The organization serves hundreds of at-risk youth and low-income people each year.

Catholic Charities is seeking additional mentors for its youth program to provide fun, educational activities and a listening ear to disadvantaged young people ages nine to 17. Contact the Nichols office at (607) 414-1023 for more information.