Farmington Community Chest Announces 14th Annual Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting March Madness Mixer

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The Farmington Community Chest invites the community to raise a glass for a great cause at its 14th Annual Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting on Friday March 27th, 2026 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Hosted at the beautiful Farmington Polo Club at 162 Town Farm Rd in Farmington, this lively evening blends exceptional tastings, local generosity, and the excitement of March Madness all in support of the Farmington community.


Guests will enjoy an energetic night featuring 18 vendors and more than 75 wines, craft beers, and spirits, along with crave-worthy small bites. The Sweet 16 March Madness basketball games will be shown on the big screen, making it the perfect place to cheer, sip, and connect with friends and neighbors.


“This event is about so much more than tastings, it’s about coming together as a community,” said Chris Andrews, President of the Farmington Community Chest. “When neighbors show up for each other like this, the impact reaches far beyond one night. Every ticket helps support local families, local programs, and the people who make Farmington such a special place to live.”


In addition to tastings, attendees can look forward to dozens of raffle prizes and silent auction items donated by local businesses, the ever-popular ‘everybody wins’ Cork Pull, and the chance to win a wheelbarrow filled with wine, beer, and spirits, generously donated by participating vendors.



Safety is also a top priority. Thanks to the support of the Luke Roux Foundation, returning as the event’s Designated Driver Sponsor, complimentary Uber ride vouchers (up to $25 each way) will be available to help guests get to and from the event safely. The initiative makes it easy for attendees to enjoy the evening without worrying about driving, parking, or logistics.


Proceeds from the March Madness Mixer directly support the mission of the Farmington Community Chest, a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run organization that has served Farmington since 1931 under the motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Funds raised benefit vital local programs and initiatives throughout town, including a significant portion designated for the Farmington Police Benevolent Association (PBA). The PBA provides critical assistance to active and retired officers, their families, and community members during times of illness, loss, or personal hardship, along with other important Farmington-based projects.


Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at https://www.FarmCommChest.org/. Tickets are also available at the Bottle Shop of Unionville, 20 South Main Street, Unionville and will be sold at the door on the night of the event.

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It’s a quiet and pressing problem in Farmington—many families are struggling to feed themselves. And it’s why the Farmington Community Chest (FCC) has been a significant supporter of the Farmington Food Pantry. “Hunger may be less visible in Farmington than other communities, but it is still a reality for the many individuals and families who are unable to put enough food on the table,” said Amy Palumbo, president of FCC. Now one of FCC’s recent grants is having a profound impact. Christina Ramsay, president of the Farmington Food Pantry explained, “Our grant from FCC enabled us to purchase a commercial refrigerator and freezer. These large appliances mean we can now sustain and stockpile more food for the hungry. This has made a huge difference to our clients. We are thrilled, especially because the number of people we serve keeps growing.” There used to be a limit on items, such as meat, milk, yogurt, eggs and frozen goods, that the food pantry could store. Turning away food donations due to our limitations was frankly heartbreaking according to Ramsay. She added, “With the expanded refrigerated storage, the pantry is much better able to collect, store, and distribute food.” “FCC is really pleased with our grant’s impact. And there’s a lesson to be learned—meaningful things can be accomplished when local organizations collaborate and examine needs together,” said Amy Palumbo, president of FCC. FCC’s annual financial support of the Farmington Food Pantry helps nourish neighbors in need. Annual grants from FCC have helped broaden the reach of the pantry, according to Ramsay. Currently, 200 families from Farmington and Unionville depend on the pantry, which is located in Amistad Hall on Main Street. More than 30 people volunteer to keep the pantry’s complex gears operating. Volunteer Robin Balboni said, “We love the clients. We do everything we can to provide a confidential, respectful, and welcoming environment.” Ramsay said that the only thing the pantry knows about its clients is that they need our help. She explained that approximately 1,500 pounds of food are distributed on each of the seven days that the pantry is open every month. While FCC is a critical funder of the pantry, there are others. Ramsay emphasized that the pantry could not succeed without its long list of partners. Examples are Foodshare, Gifts of Love, Highland Park Market, Shop Rite of Bristol, and Stop and Shop. The pantry also receives fresh donations from Sub-Edge Farms, Hien Farms, Maple Hill Farms, and Jillybean’s Farmstand. “There is no understating the impact of our partners. Foodshare is essential, but each partner is literally helping to provide a food lifeline to people who are food insecure in our community,” said Ramsey. Details about when, where and how to access pantry help is found here: https://www.ffpct.org/

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It seems like a stretch to say that the efforts of a small non-profit like the Farmington Community Chest can potentially save lives. But FCC’s grant to the Farmington Fire Department to purchase thermal imaging cameras proves that FCC’s capacity to potentially save lives is no exaggeration. The new thermal imaging cameras mean that town firefighters now have the latest technology to find fire victims, identify a fire’s hotspots/spread, and target firefighting efforts and resources quickly and effectively. “The thermal cameras are life-saving,” says Russ Nelson, Fire Chief of the East Farms Station. Because the thermal imaging cameras measure heat, they can find people in a completely dark room. Nelson calls the cameras an innovation that the department couldn’t secure through the town’s budget process. But, he says, now he and his firefighting colleagues can “thrive” with the new technology provided by the thermal imaging cameras. On April 8, 2019, FCC President Amy Palumbo presented the $13,300.00 check that funds cameras for each of the town stations. “We know these cameras are indispensable. They should give town residents a new sense of security in the event of a fire. We also hope town residents, businesses, and others will see the FCC grant for this technology as an impetus to add FCC to their list of charitable giving.” Fire officials agree. “This gift from FCC should be resonating with town residents. It’s outstanding that their firefighters now have it. And it’s outstanding that the Farmington Community Chest is here to support all of us,” says Chief Nelson.