Putnam Italian Club Creates Drive-By Community Dinner

BREWSTER, NY — There's nothing like a community pasta dinner. So the Putnam County Italian American Social Club thought up a new coronavirus-era version.

Then they picked up a lot of helpers, and cooked and dished up 400 dinners Saturday — pasta, chicken and salad in to-go containers for curbside pick-up.

"Awesome day," said Randy Calano, vice-president of the club. "I only wish that we could do more."

At the "drive up" table is the core group that made the whole thing happen:

• County Legislator and club member Joe Castellano
• County Legislator Paul Jonke
• Town of Southeast Council members Edwin Alvarez and John O'Connor
• Putnam County Clerk Michael Bartolotti
• Putnam County Commissioner of Elections and club member Anthony Scannapieco

Plus Italian American Club members:

• Frank Catalanotto, Pres. (kitchen)
• Randall Calano, VP (kitchen)
• Nick Amendola, Board of Directors
• Maurizio Cacciotti (Kitchen supv.)
• Anthony Perruzza (traffic control)
• Marco Baldi (food packaging)
• Vito Sblano (food packaging)
• Jim Dannolfo (food packaging)

In addition, special thanks go out to:

• Nick Amendola's daughters for their homemade face masks and helping us throughout the day.
• Town of Southeast Highway Superintendent Mike Burdick for supplying road hazard cones and flags for traffic control.
• Frank & Kim Milano of Kobacker's Market for supplying all of the Bronx Italian Bread
• Ace Endico for their discounted food supply AND donating "TO GO" containers for the event.

The event even picked up some heartwarming momentum as it went on.

"Total strangers pulled up and just gave money donations without taking food!" Calano said.