Upstate Oasis held a food drive June 15-July 10 in memory of longtime Oasis volunteer and Leadership Team member Tom Murphy who passed away on May 12. Tom loved to cook and bake and always brought homemade treats everywhere he went. The Oasis Leadership Team thought a food drive would be the perfect way to honor his memory.

All donations were given to the Interreligious Food Consortium (IFC) which serves smaller and under-resourced food pantries, senior housing facilities, social workers, and other providers in the local emergency food network. Oasis members, along with friends and family of Tom donated 540 lbs. of food and gave $200 in monetary donations.

IFC Executive Director, Kate Artessa, was so grateful for the donations and welcomed the Murphy family to be a part of this special gift. Tom’s wife, Doreen, also a longtime Oasis volunteer and Leadership Team member was overwhelmed that there was a food drive honoring Tom and stated nothing would have pleased him more. Joan Robson and Kristen Panzetta, two of Tom and Doreen’s daughters joined Oasis Program & Volunteer Manager, Jennifer Michella in delivering the donations.

The Murphy Family, IFC and Oasis would like to thank everyone who donated in Tom’s memory.

Joan, Kristen, Jen and Leadership Team member, Debbie Cianciolo pose with all the donations at Oasis.

IFC volunteer Lorraine and Executive Director, Kate Artessa accept donations from Tom’s daughters Kristen Panzetta and Joan Robson along with Oasis Program & Volunteer Manager Jen Michella.