August 7, 2023 weekly newsletter

Vinny + Friends...look who showed up to support the lemonade stand!

Ohmygosh! I have so much to tell you this week, but before I forget, I need to let you know that you won't be getting a letter from me next Monday, since I'll be on the road. It's that time of year...gotta enjoy a little bit of the summer while we still have it!

So first, here's what's coming up:

• The Police Station food drive is in full swing through the entire month of August, which gives everyone another great place to drop off donations, 24/7.
• The monthly Craft Gathering is meeting up this coming Saturday.

Debbie E sent me some pictures that illustrate the embroidery skills she'll be teaching this Saturday and I've posted them below. These are samples of what can be done with the techniques, not the actual projects for Saturday. She will be supplying everyone with a free kit to make a needle book. No experience or preparation needed! Don't miss this opportunity...Saturday August 12 from 10 to noon, in the air conditioned Stone Soup Kitchen dining room! No registration needed, and the event is family-friendly.

 
And here's what happened last week:

• Our friends Margaret + Patrick D donated a bike for our bicycle pipeline. It is in great shape, and only needs a bit of TLC to get it ready for a new owner. Thank you guys!
• Our buddy Vinny and some of his friends worked hard this weekend to sell lemonade to raise money for our pantry and dinners. Many thanks to them and to his Mom, Lin, who helped them set everything up and run it smoothly. Take a look at the pictures above and see who showed up to get a cup of lemonade!
• Sonja, Melanie, and I took a road trip to North Grafton to attend a talk by Congressman James McGovern. It was hosted at the beautiful meeting facility of the Community Harvest Project, one of our wonderful food partners. Meeting with Congressman

We are so blessed to have these wonderful partners like the Community Harvest Project, Boston Area Gleaners, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the Ayer Police Department, the local Community Foundations, and Ayer Shop n' Save, but we are also blessed to have all of you! Individually and through your businesses/community organizations, so many of you are sharing the produce from your gardens, your time and energy to bake cookies, your time and funds to shop for us and donate, and your muscles to help us date check, sort, and pack. Thank you to all of our wonderful community!

 
If you can shop for us this week, we are especially in need of these items: clean(ish) plastic grocery bags, canned fruit, boxed mac + cheese, canned chicken, canned corn, carrots, or mixed vegetables, and corned beef hash. For the month of August, you have the option of dropping it in the Police Station lobby as well as at Ayer Shop n' Save. We will also be at the pantry as usual on Wednesday from 10 to noon, Friday from 4 to 5:30, and Saturday from 9 to noon for drop-offs. If you use one of the other two locations, would you please leave us a note in your bag so that we can thank you?
Have a lovely week, and be good to yourselves!

Examples of the techniques that will be taught at the upcoming Craft Gathering