Unsung Heroes #374

Less than a year ago, “06880” honored Marcy Sansolo as an Unsung Hero.

We hailed the founder of Facebook’s “What Up Westport” for her regular “Social Media Experiments.” Over 7 years, she’d run more than 2 dozen pop-up collections.

Thanks to Marcy’s posts and persistence, generous residents have donated food for pantries; hats, gloves and socks during winter months; prom dresses; school supplies; Puerto Rico hurricane relief diapers; support for Parkland High School after a shooting; a yearly holiday gift drive, for which people shop in stores or scour their drawers for gifts kids can give to their parents; even a band instrument fhat brought in over 150 trumpets, trombones and more, for Bridgeport youngsters who loved to play but could not afford them.

Marcy Sansolo, mid-collection at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

Now Marcy has embarked on another collection. This stime, she’s joined by another Unsung Hero: a local business.

The Gillespie Center food pantry needs help. This Sunday (March 23, 11 a.m. to 12 noon), she and Martha Deegan will collect items at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

They ask for canned beans, meats, veggies, fruit, pasta, rice, peanut butter, condiments and spices, along with dish soap, paper towels, dish soap and sponges. (No Costco-sized items, due to space constraints).

Supermarket gift cards are also welcome.

Speaking of supermarkets: The Fresh Market manager offered Marcy a great price — if she purchased 100 pounds of meat and chicken, or more.

She put a request on social media for people to cover the cost of the meat. In less than 10 hours, she exceeded the goal.

Yesterday, Marcy bought 100 pounds of meat, and another 100 pounds of chicken, for the Gillespie Center.

Marcy Sansolo (far left) and Martha Deegan (far right), with The Fresh Market’s very helpful staff.

“Mark, Mike, El and Gabby were the stars at Fresh Market,” says. “They couldn’t have been more helpful or kinder.

“Not only are they packing everything in 1-pound parcels — they are delivering it as well.

They also gave Marcy 3o packets of spices, and the promise of dairy and produce.

“I’m at a loss for words,” the normally very talkative civic volunteer says.

Marcy looks forward to seeing a great turnout at the Imperial Avenue parking lot on Sunday. “It’s such a great sense of community,” she says.

She offers this quote, which has always stuck with her: “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect with our fellow men.”

Marcy and Fresh Market: Thanks for all you do. You are his week’s Unsung Heroes!

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)