LONGMEADOW – Over the holidays in 2019, Longmeadow resident and college student Gabriella Humphries did more with her time than eat, drink and be merry. As a Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) Pantry Pal, she collected almost 350 pounds of groceries, pantry items, can tabs, clothing and gift cards totaling more than $500.

“I collect from Thanksgiving through the winter break,” Humphries said. She then gives the donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield in honor of Three Kings Day on Jan. 6. She said many of the families who stay at the house while receiving treatment are from Spanish-speaking countries where Three King’s day is an important holiday.

The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield is one of over 300 non-profit houses that provides a place to stay for families of children who are receiving medical care at one of the area hospitals.

“The house is a home-away-from-home. A lot of patients come from [countries] outside the United States that don’t have the same medical care,” Humphries said. “I have always loved the house and collecting groceries and other items so [families] can focus on their children’s health,” Humphries said.

Humphries first got involved with the RMHC as a Girl Scout in elementary school. When she was a student at Longmeadow High School, she held a seat on the Teen Board of the organization.

Now a junior at Assumption College in Worcester, Humphries has worked as a pantry pal for three years and estimates she has collected $1,500, or about 1,000 pounds of donations. She hopes to continue collecting donations for the foreseeable future.

Humphries is a political science major who is minoring in Spanish and said “It’s great to be able to connect on a deeper level,” by speaking to the families she helps in their native language.

“It’s so great that [RMHC is] in our backyard, in Springfield. It's amazing that so many people don’t know it’s there, and the mission it serves and its benefits,” Humphries said.

To learn more about RMHC visit rmhc-ctma.org.