With a crowded field of talented handcraft vendors and an exciting and wide variety of raffle baskets up for grabs, Crafters Care returns to North Branford on Saturday, Oct. 14 to once again build funding support to stock the Food Pantry of North Branford (FPNB).

The fourth annual Crafters Care Craft Fair will feature over 50 quality artisan handcraft vendors selling their wares on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the field at Doody’s Inn and Restaurant on 465 Foxon Road. A kids’ pumpkin decorating contest will also be underway at the event. Admission is free. Event raffle proceeds benefit FPNB.

Since 2020, volunteer Crafters Care Events Organizer Kim Mucha of Northford has been developing craft sales and other community events and offerings, with most geared toward assisting FPNB. Located in the lower level of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 1382 Middletown Avenue in Northford, FPBN’s mission is to provide free supplemental groceries to those in need. As an all-volunteer organization, 100 percent of all food and monetary donations directly benefit clients.

Mucha is also once again grateful to Doody’s for providing the field use for the annual Crafters Care Craft Fair. She also thanks every vendor for contributing an amazing gift basket to join the donated and gifts and baskets contributed by local businesses and residents. Tickets for raffle baskets will be on sale at the Oct. 14 event, where winners will be drawn. Winners need not be present.

In November, to continue the drive to assist those in need, Mucha has organized an event to benefit non-profit Community Dining Room (CDR), which provides free, hot, and nutritional meals to residents of Branford, North Branford, East Haven, and Guilford. Mucha’s event to benefit CDR, “A Crafty Wonderland at The Woodwinds,” is set for Sunday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Woodwinds at 29 School Ground Road in Branford. Over 55 vendors will be participating in the unique holiday shopping event. The event’s $5 entry fee benefits CDR.

A variety of vendors will also be on hand in December, when Mucha will present “A Holiday Artisan Market at Millpond” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 at Millpond Gatherings at 1565 Middletown Avenue in Northford. The event’s $5 entry fee benefits FPNB.

“We have three amazing events this year to help our local non-profits,” said Mucha.

More information on each of these events can found at the Crafters Care Events page on Facebook.