NORTHFIELD — While the Northfield Kiwanis Club has organized its Holiday Craft Fair and Raffle for decades each December, this year marked the first time in memory where the group partnered not only with Northfield Elementary School and its Parent-Teacher Organization, but also with the Northfield Regional Food Pantry.

Working together, the Kiwanis Club and food pantry were able to multiply the impact of each of the efforts through their shared commitment to ameliorating hunger. This year, the annual Holiday Craft Fair and Raffle, held at the elementary school on Dec. 7, raised $4,000, which went toward food and clothing gift cards for each family identified as being in need by Northfield Elementary School.

Northfield Regional Food Pantry Manager Linda Chapin sees the collaboration of groups as an important step.

“We’re happy to have had the opportunity to join with Kiwanis and the PTO this year,” Chapin said in a statement.

The event featured more than two dozen craftspeople selling their wares and a table of more than 70 items that were donated for the large raffle table. Having the Northfield Regional Food Pantry be part of the craft fair, Chapin said, enabled many shoppers to stop by, learn more about the pantry’s work, donate food and contribute money.

Each group credits Bernardston resident Samantha Bachini, who is a parent, a food pantry volunteer and the newest Northfield Kiwanis Club member, with coming up with the idea for the collaboration at the craft fair.

Steve Stoia, Kiwanis Club member and former president of the Northfield chapter, said it makes sense for the club and the food pantry to work together.

“In fact,” he said in a statement, “Northfield Kiwanis originally provided the seed money and sweat equity to create space for the pantry in the lower level of the Dickinson Memorial Library years ago.”

The food pantry serves approximately 50 families on the two days it is open each month: the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chapin previously said the food pantry is open to everyone, including people who live outside Northfield and Bernardston. No personal identification or proof of personal finances are required.

Alongside traditional nonperishable items, the Northfield Regional Food Pantry also offers pet food, hygiene products, personal care items, produce and frozen meat, among other products.