Quality Custom Distribution Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden States Foods, along with the GSF Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children and families in need in the areas where GSF associates live and work, hosted a fundraising event Feb. 28 at QCD in Suffolk.

Organizers of the event, called “Meals for Mittens,” collected donations from QCD associates of children’s winter weather gear, such as hats, gloves, mittens and scarves, totaling more than 100 items. Additional funds were donated to purchase clothing.

In total, the event benefited more than 100 local children.

The event served as an additional opportunity to collect cold weather gear in support and preparation for the annual GSF Foundation fall event, Operation Warm Coats for Kids. The Operation Warm Coats for Kids program is jointly funded by GSF associates and J.C. Penney.

Each year, J.C. Penney provides the program with 2,000 coats and heavy sweaters for the GSF Foundation to give to children across the country in dire need of warm winter apparel.

As many as 80 percent (2,500) of GSF associates actively support the GSF Foundation through personal involvement and contribution in 27 chapters across the United States.

“The Meals for Mittens concept was conceived by our local GSF Foundation committee, and we are very excited to have the opportunity to enhance the Operation Warm Coats for Kids program by bringing this concept to life,” said Pete Del Giorno, facility manager at QCD Suffolk.

“With the fundraising from this event, we hope to help keep local, disadvantaged children warm during cold fall and winter months. A special thanks to our Communications Chairperson Natasha Baird for her vision and creativity in developing this great idea and to our friends at Penske for their generous contributions, which has helped us increase the support to those in need.”

To date, the GSF Foundation has raised more than $23 million for more than 500 children’s charities and elementary schools with at-risk children.