✨ Simply magical.
- Springs Food Pantry
- Jul 15
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
That's the phrase we heard again and again after this year's 5th Annual Springs Garden Party.
On a picture-perfect summer afternoon, more than 340 friends, neighbors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters gathered in the extraordinary gardens of Greg McCarthy and Peter Bickford for what became our largest and most successful Garden Party ever.
It wasn't just the beautiful setting or the gorgeous weather that made the afternoon so memorable. It was the feeling of community. Everywhere you looked, people were reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, enjoying extraordinary food, and coming together around a shared belief that no family in Springs should go hungry.
"The atmosphere inspired so many people to care and get involved."— Holly Reichart-Wheaton
That spirit was evident throughout the afternoon. It reminded us that when a community comes together with purpose, generosity grows, connections are made, and everyone leaves feeling part of something bigger than themselves.
Together, we achieved record ticket sales and record funds raised in support of Springs Food Pantry. Every ticket purchased, auction bid placed, raffle ticket sold, and donation made will help provide healthy, supplemental food—including fresh, locally grown produce—to nearly 400 local families and more than 1,500 household members every week.
Our hosts:
Our deepest gratitude goes to our gracious hosts, Greg McCarthy and Peter Bickford, whose spectacular gardens once again provided the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable afternoon. Their generosity and hospitality created the warm, welcoming atmosphere that so many guests described as "simply magical".
We are profoundly grateful to our incredible sponsors:
Ryan McNally & Ryan Lang, Hummel Builders, Skin by Lucia, Peter's Produce, Mickey's Carting, Adam Miller Group, M&T Bank, Paraco Gas, Proper pH Pools, Ronald Webb Builders, Twomey Latham, The Bayberry, and Broadway Heights Dairy.
Your generosity helped make this year's Garden Party our most successful ever, allowing even more of every dollar raised to support healthy, supplemental food for local families.
Our event and service providers:
Our sincere thanks also go to our outstanding event partners and service providers who helped create such an unforgettable afternoon.
Silver Spoon Specialties delighted guests with an exceptional menu, highlighted by an unforgettable Asian station and spectacular raw bar.
Special thanks to the Lynn Blue Band, whose incredible music kept the energy high and the welcoming spirit alive all afternoon. You provided the perfect soundtrack for an unforgettable celebration.
Along with Cocktails & Dreams, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Springs Wines & Liquors, Domaine Franey Wines, Elmer Contreras, Springs Brewery, Bloom Country, Brooke Bohnsack for Zag's Photo Booths, Megan's Cookies and support from Paola Eisler, Levain Bakery, Opa's Granola, and Jamagansett, you transformed a beautiful afternoon into an extraordinary celebration.
Celebrating our Farm Partners
A special thank you to our remarkable farm partners—Amber Waves, Balsam Farms, Quail Hill Farm, and Share the Harvest Farm. Your partnership helps provide thousands of pounds of fresh, healthy, locally grown produce to the families we serve each year. More importantly, you help us provide that food with dignity, reminding all of us that healthy food should be available to everyone.
Recognizing our amazing volunteers
Our volunteers are the heart of Springs Food Pantry, and nowhere was that more evident than at this year's Garden Party. Months of planning came together through the efforts of dozens of volunteers who welcomed guests, directed parking, drove shuttle vehicles, managed check-in, supported the silent auction and raffle, and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every guest felt welcome. Your warmth, dedication, and countless hours of service made the afternoon seem effortless, and we are endlessly grateful.
Our special guests
One of the most moving moments of the afternoon came when Hannah Gonzalez shared her family's story. Her courage, honesty, and gratitude reminded us why we gather each year—not simply to host a beautiful event, but to change lives. Hannah's words gave voice to hundreds of local families who rely on the Pantry each week and reminded us that every act of generosity brings dignity, hope, and nourishment to our neighbors.
Our 2026 Auction & Raffle Donors
We're equally grateful to our extraordinary auction and raffle supporters. More than 60 local businesses, artists, restaurants, wineries, retailers, and service providers donated incredible experiences, artwork, dining, travel, wellness, shopping, and entertainment packages that helped make this year's auction and raffle a great success.
From one-of-a-kind artwork and unforgettable travel experiences to dining, entertainment, wellness, and shopping, your generosity inspired spirited bidding and made a tremendous difference for Springs Food Pantry. We are grateful to every individual and business that contributed to this year's auction and raffle.
Artists
A special thank you to these talented artists, whose generous donations helped make this year's auction such a great success:
Gary Chiappa • Kurt Giehl • Dan Hilpert • WS Heppenheimer • Nicholas Howey • Art McCann • George Singer • Bill Tansey • Gus Yero
Accommodations, Experiences & Services
Amber Waves Farm • Balsam Farm • Bay Street Theater • Drew Barrymore Live • Duck Creek • East End Bonfire • East Hampton Golf Club • Guild Hall • Hamptons International Film Festival • Harmonia, Inc. • Ina Garten • Jets Tickets • Larry Chaifetz • LongHouse Reserve • Oyster Farm Tour & Tasting • Parrish Art Museum • Quail Hill Farm • Sag Harbor Cinema • Share the Harvest Farm • Sportime • Stephen Talkhouse • Sunset Cruise with Captain Bob • The Reform Club • The Roundtree, Amagansett
Dining & Food
1770 House • Blue Parrot • Bostwick's on the Harbor • Carissa's • Cittanuova • Clam Bar • Damark's Market • Fresno • Il Buco al Mare • Luigi's Italian Specialties • Nick & Toni's • Nourish • S&S Corner Shop • Serafina • Smokin' Wolf BBQ • Springs Tavern • Tutto Caffè East Hampton
Shopping & Home
Amagansett Beach & Bicycle • BookHampton • Caps4Kindness • East Hampton Gardens • E-E Home • Elegant John • Gubbins • Hamptons Technology Group • Jen Proudman • Jones Road Beauty • Khanh's • Leonard Frisbie • Les Toiles du Soleil • Lingua Franca • Poppi Soda • Suzie Kondi
Wellness & Beauty
Amagansett Salon & Day Spa • East Hampton Dental Group • Frank Lipman MD Wellness Center • ID Hot Yoga • Jamie Lerner Fitness • Lucia Miranda • Mandala Yoga • Marion Rohrbach Wellness • New York Pilates • Spa 27 • Truth Training
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Francey not Fancy • Montaukila • New Roots Winery • Park Place Wines • Race Lane Wine & Liquor • Wölffer Estate Vineyard
All the pics!
A big shout-out to Bill Delano and Hazel Schack of Peconic Pictures for capturing the joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments that made this year's Garden Party so special. We invite you to enjoy his wonderful photographs:
And check out Zag's Photo Booth pics! Generously sponsored by Brooke Bohnsack.
As we reflect on this extraordinary afternoon, we're reminded that the true success of the Garden Party isn't measured only by attendance or dollars raised. It's measured by a community that continues to show up—for its neighbors, for local families, and for one another.
"Helping those in need is more than an act of kindness—it is a shared responsibility. We may not be able to repair everything that's broken in the world, but together, we can repair what's broken in our own backyard."— Amy Leopold
"We believe that no one should go hungry. Our dream is to one day not be needed—when every Springs family can afford life's basic needs. But until then, we'll keep showing up."— Holly Reichart-Wheaton
💚 Become a Monthly Donor!
If this story inspires you, we hope you'll consider becoming a monthly donor. Recurring gifts are one of the most impactful ways to support Springs Food Pantry, providing dependable funding that allows us to plan ahead and ensure healthy food is on our shelves every single week.
To everyone who showed up—for our Pantry, for our neighbors, for our community, and for every family we serve—thank you.
You made the 5th Annual Springs Garden Party simply magical.
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