Thrift store gives $1,200 to schools to help students and families in need

WESTFIELD - On Dec. 4, Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe on 20 Broad St. presented its quarterly donation of $1,200 to the Westfield Public Schools to help students and their families who are in need.

“We have a number of families that either come to the Welcome Center or call us with some kind of need, and these funds will go towards supporting them,” said Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, adding that the money from Blessed Buys will be used to purchase gift cards from grocery stores for families who are food insecure and come to them seeking help.

“It’s amazingly helpful. We couldn’t do it otherwise, because we don’t have a way to purchase gift cards right now. The need is so great, this gives us an additional boost, so we can meet the nee