Pannese Society fills baskets for needy

Posted

The Pannese Society of Rhode Island, which was founded in 1909, prides itself in the proud Italian-American heritage of its members, brotherhood and promoting numerous important social events.    The word “sharing,” printed below the Society’s logo, best describes what President Joseph Spremulli and the Society’s many members enjoy most this time of year. On Thursday afternoon, Spremulli greeted Dr. Albert J. Murano and Joseph Quartino inside the grocery-filled Our Lady of Grace auditorium for a heart-warming meeting that resulted in a variety of foods that will provide Christmas dinner for at least 29 needy families in and around Johnston.

“The Doc [Dr. Murano] came to me and said let’s do something special in our club’s name for some needy families,” Spremulli said of his long-time friend, the noted neurologist who also owns and operates Neuroline Solutions, 1524 Atwood Avenue, Suite 24A in Johnston. With that, Dr. Murano pledged the first $500 and Spremulli offering to match the donation “in the name of our Pannese Society and that ought to go a long way in providing food for what we hope will be special Christmas dinners for families in need.” 

Spremulli, a long-time parishioner and friend of Johnston’s Our Lady of Grace Church, received word from Quartino that the Roman Catholic parish would also partake in the unique giving program.

“The result is all these [white, plastic] laundry baskets that are obviously overflowing with foods,” Spremulli said while looking over huge supply of food. “Our Society and this church have always taken tremendous pride in doing these sorts of things at the holidays.”

At Thanksgiving, the Society distributed 44 food baskets to needy families. “By the time this drive is complete we’ll probably have more than 29 baskets…maybe even 39 and that would make everyone around here feel super special.” said Spremulli, who also made a personal donation to help pay for the huge hams that were stuffed into the oversized laundry baskets delivered earlier this week.

“These baskets are so heavy it takes two people to lift them,” Quartino said before chatting with Dr. Murano about his son Albert’s days as a standout high school and collegiate baseball player before he joined the Warwick police force.

Spremulli said, “I personally love helping people who are struggling financially, folks that are less fortunate than most people. It’s something that’s steeped in our heritage … as has been said time and again, it’s better to give than receive!”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here