Magnetic Attraction—

Young Man Hopes To Raise Community Pride, Food Pantry Funds

By John Voket

In many ways, 16-year-old Stephen Forgione is very much like his peers. He plays video games, goes to work as a pizza helper at Tambascio’s Restaurant in Dodgingtown, and participates in sports as a Newtown High School junior.

But recently, as he was watching the local Labor Day Parade, he was struck by an acquaintance, Breanne Lubinsky, who created a float to help raise awareness of hunger in the community, and to attract donations to the FAITH Food Pantry at St John’s Episcopal Church.

Having already volunteered for several summers with is grandfather Lewis at Bridgeport’s Daughters of Charity Mission, Stephen was well aware of the poverty and related issues plaguing many in the Park City. But seeing his friend’s float in the parade drove home the point that hunger is an issue for families right here in his hometown.

So with the help of his brother Paul, who is a computer graphics designer, and his parents, Stephen has initiated a fundraising program for the FAITH pantry he hopes will raise $5,000 before the holiday season draws to a close, and the generosity of seasonal donations begins to wane.

His idea, selling $5 magnets with a bold red image of a rooster and the words “Newtown, CT est. 1705,” Stephen believes will also serve to boost community spirit as vehicles carrying the emblem travel throughout the state and beyond.

“I always heard the phrase ‘It’s Nicer In Newtown,’ so I talked with my parents and we decided on a way to give back to the community,” Stephen told The Newtown Bee this week, just a few hours after taking delivery of the limited edition pressing of 1,000 magnets.

The unique, taupe and brick-colored emblems are already popping up on cars around town, as Stephen has begun making them available at school and in his travels to work and on errands. He plans to be selling the remaining magnets this weekend, on Saturday in front of Stop & Shop at the Sand Hill Plaza, and Sunday at Dunkin’ Donuts on Queen Street.

His mother, Kate, said her son did not want to create some type of collectible or ornament that would sit on a shelf, but rather, something that would enhance community morale while benefiting this important local cause.

“It was time to do something,” Stephen added.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale will go directly to the food pantry, Stephen said. He and his family are personally underwriting the cost of the magnets.

“We hope to write a weekly check for the money we’ve collected until the magnets are all gone,” Kate Forgione said. “We’re hoping to put a big push on to sell them all by the end of this holiday season, maybe even by Thanksgiving.”

Lee Paulsen, co-chair of the food pantry, said the young man’s efforts are especially critical in this economy when more requests are being made of the pantry, while donations have declined.

“I can’t believe he’s doing it,” she said. “It’s phenomenal because all our donations are down.”

The fact that the program is generating cash is especially good because the pantry can increase its capacity to stock the food it needs most, and to purchase that stock in bulk.

“We can get more of what we’re missing through and beyond the holiday,” Ms Paulsen said.

Any magnets still remaining after this weekends efforts will be available at various high school events, and the Newtown tree lighting ceremony December 5.

Out-of-towners, or those interested in purchasing the magnets in any quantity can inquire via email to steveforgione@gmail.com. Anyone purchasing magnets by check can make the check payable directly to FAITH Food Pantry.