AGAWAM – Chez Josef staff came together recently to help families in need during an uncertain and difficult time.

Haley Mathieu, Chez Josef’s sales operations manager, said they took inspiration from other catering companies that have been finding ways to give back to the community. “We thought it was important to give back to the communities we serve in this time of need,” she told Reminder Publishing.

The banquet hall, which also serves as a catering establishment, decided to supply 100 families with a total of 400 meals. Mathieu said there was no specific process when deciding how many families to serve. “I think we just spit out a number and said 100 families, 400 meals, let’s do it,” Mathieu explained.

She said the families were served a turkey dinner, which they hoped served as “a reminder of everyone coming together around Thanksgiving.” While based in Agawam, Mathieu said Chez Josef “services such a wide range” of communities, so while people had to be from a neighboring community, to receive the meal donation they didn’t have to be an Agawam resident. “We wanted to reach all communities in the surrounding area, as well as Agawam,” she explained.

There were no requirements for families who received meals, they only needed to pre-register online before the day of distribution. This, she said, was “to steer people away from people showing up and us not having enough meals.”

The meals were given out on the day of March 21. Mathieu said the staff handing out the meals took all the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of both those handing out meals and those receiving meals. Guests were given time slot options when they pre-registered, ensuring “people were not gathering at the same time.”

When guests arrived to collect their food, Mathieu said they either rolled down their windows or called a number if they didn’t feel comfortable interacting with staff through their rolled down car window. When they had been checked in, guests were directed to open their trunks where a staff member placed their meals. Staff also used hand-sanitizer and social distancing protocols.

“We definitely took reasonable, responsible efforts I would say because of what’s going on,” she said. “Guests never had to leave their car.”

At the end of the day, Mathieu said, “our team felt good going home” that day, and they hope to be able to donate meals again in the future.

In addition to donating meals, Chez Josef is also offering two other ways for residents to give back while members of the community are facing difficult times. One way residents can pay it forward is by purchasing a meal that they will “deliver to someone in need.” Mathieu said, once ordered, the meal will be delivered right to the individual's doorstep. She described the process as “contactless delivery” as the person delivering the meal does not need to interact with the individual receiving it, lowering their risk of exposure to any illness or virus.

Another way to give back is by participating in Chez Josef’s Adopting a Responder program. Mathieu explained the program caters to first responders such as medical professionals, EMTs, firefighters and police officers. She said the way the program works is by community members donating meals, which are then delivered to a different place each week.

Mathieu said they will be asking the community “who do you know that’s in need?” so they can “let the community tell us where the need is.” Those interested in participating in the program should call Chez Josef at 786-0257.

Those wanting to purchase a meal for someone else can order it online at www.chezjosef.com/orderonline, just like they would order any other takeout meal. Mathieu said Chez Josef is offering delivery, and doesn’t have a delivery radius at the moment. She said she’s gone to Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and Agawam, “wherever I need to go,” she joked.

Those wanting to pick up their food can do so at both Chez Josef in Agawam at 176 Shoemaker Lane or at the Wilbraham Country Club on 859 Stony Hill Rd.