Family sticks together. That’s the motto the Conidi family has stood by for 30 years since opening the doors to Pasta Fresca in Niagara Falls.They now want to expand their family tradition to support children across Niagara.

Until Christmas Eve, $3 from sales of Pasta Fresca’s homemade pasta sauces and soups will directly benefit Community Crew, a Niagara charity helping children in need. Located on Huggins Street, Pasta Fresca has been serving up homemade favourites in Niagara Falls since 1989.

“Children and families are near and dear to our hearts, and what better way to support children in our community than with our original family recipes and traditions,” said Anthony Conidi, co-owner of Pasta Fresca. “Our goal is to raise more than $2,000 for Community Crew this holiday season.”

Christina Conidi, who helps to manage Pasta Fresca, said her brother Anthony approached her with the fundraising idea, which she thought was a “really good idea.”

“We’re very family oriented and there’s four little boys in our family, so to know that there are kids out there going to school without lunch, it just really affected us – it really did hit a soft spot,” she said.

Community Crew pursued charity status in 2013 to help tackle poverty’s effect in Niagara. Today, the charity offers proactive and reactive programs that make a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids in the region and across

“We are thrilled for this new partnership with Pasta Fresca,” said Sarah Pritula, director for Community Crew. “We love partnering with local Niagara businesses to help end child hunger throughout the region.”

Pritula said funding for Community Crew comes from private and corporate donations. She said the group’s lunch program is currently in 12 schools and the hope is to expand it to 18 by the end of the school year.

“The program with Pasta Fresca, because they’re in Niagara Falls, they will be helping contribute to the four Niagara Falls schools that are already taking advantage of the lunch program,” said Pritula.

“We provide lunches to children who would otherwise go without in the schools – once a week right now until we can really grow our funding and volunteer base.”

She said the program provides kids with a healthy wrap, usually a turkey wrap, along with fruit, vegetables and a nut-free snack.

“We also provide a note, usually every other week for the kids, and it’s a note of encouragement that just says we’re thinking of you, keep up the great work. Our volunteers get to interact with the kids and they really get to know them.”

To date, Community Crew has handed out more than 42,000 lunches, given away more than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and has amassed more than 10,000 volunteer hours by more than 130 volunteers.

Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri

Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri