October 2, 2023 weekly newsletter

 

People before paperwork.
People before paperwork.
People before paperwork.
(My new mantra)

What do you do when you've got a newsletter to write, all the paperwork for the end of your fiscal year to collect and organize, and 9 homeless people in different locations to get emergency food for? You get the food together for the people. And you pray that one of your amazing volunteers will be free to make one of the food runs. Thank you Rich and Alison...you are appreciated more than I can ever tell you. Normally, we do not deliver, but these are just not normal times. Last night, I took a run to a laundromat, and today Rich took a run to a Motel 6.

God knew what we were going to need, though, and provided enough. More than enough, including two social workers who know what they're doing (unlike me), enough food to share with all who needed it, resources to share with those searching for housing, and enough community members who were able to cut through all the noise and complaints online about the situation and to actually do something ABOUT the situation.

There is a gentleman whose blog posts I read each week, and yesterday the topic was “Why is wanting to help the poor so controversial?” It was very well timed for our current situation in Ayer. Too many folks end up falling into the either/or fallacy: either we help the immigrants or we help the “real” Americans. And waaaay too many of those same people just want to push their political agenda without actually helping at all. I am so thankful that that's not who you, our supporters, are. For those of you readers who are people of faith, I recommend his post, linked above.  For those who would prefer not to read it, I'll just mention that both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament refute either/or thinking, noting that God is a generous God who loves both/and thinking, and who provides more than enough when we work together instead of fighting each other about who is right.

So yeah...we're going to need your help to keep up. I am not asking that anyone give more than you already are, just that more of us give a little, as we are able.

Before I forget to remind you, we have our Quick + Easy Nutrition class with Dr Lydia McClure next Tuesday, October 10 from 7 to 8pm at Stone Soup Kitchen (41 Littleton Road in Ayer), and our Crafts Gathering on Saturday, October 14 from 10 to noon. If you can shop for us this week, we will happily take anything off of our complete list, the new one that I sent out last week. We'll be at the pantry on Wednesday from 10 to noon, Friday from 4 to 5:30, and Saturday from 9 to noon for drop-offs. And the bin is always available at Shop n' Save if those times don't suit. Please leave a note in the bag with your name so we know whom to thank!

I am going to be out of town next Sunday and Monday, so next week the letter will be a day late! I love you all...please take good care of yourselves. 💕

 Image: Canva