Valerie Macchio Named 3rd VIP Award Recipient for the 2026 Celebrate Life Luncheon

Congratulations Valerie Macchio! She's the third recipient of the 2026 Celebrate Life VIP Award. (Very Inspirational Person)

For 40 years, Valerie and her amazing team of volunteers have been providing food security to 51 towns in Sussex County including right here in Sparta. In addition to being executive director of The Sparta Food Pantry she is the co-founder of the Sussex County Hunger Coalition.

When I asked people here in town who has had a huge positive impact on our town, county, and/or state, Valerie's name kept coming up!

I love that the Food Pantry 'rules' basically say, if you need some help, just show up and we've got you! And if you can't make it to us, we'll deliver! Valerie's efforts are an extraordinary combination of logistics, teamwork, love, and dedication.

I also love that Valerie went to her pastor a long time ago and told him that she didn't know what to do with her time when she wasn't going to be commuting to NYC for work each day. Her pastor told her to volunteer for a couple hours each week. Valerie, like our other two 2026 VIP Award recipients Lynette DeLisa and Michael Walter, knows that if you ask a busy person to do something, that’s when things get done!

If you’d like to join the festivities and celebrate our Veterans with

Valerie and some really awesome people, scan the QR Code to purchase your tickets and make you reservations.

*Wednesday April 29th, 2026 from 12pm to 3:30 pm at The Mohawk House in Sparta.

The next VIP recipient will be announced on 3/11!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Cheers,

Marcello and Dr. Jill