January 22, 2024 newsletter

 

Good morning everyone. On Friday evening, we said goodbye to our dear friend Steve. We shared his favorite meal, reminisced, and held a short memorial service in his honor. We discussed how none of us could take his place, but that each of us has a place, an important place, and each of us has talents that we can use to serve one another and the community. My prayer is that every lonely and hurting person in our area will find a place with people who support them. Thank you for helping us to continue to be there for the people that have found us. In this new year, would you like to get more involved? There is always room at the table...

We had some good news to share too. We received a grant from Greater Lowell Community Foundation (go check out all the great work they help to fund!). It is earmarked for personal care items, including diapers and feminine hygiene supplies, for the migrant group currently lodged in Ayer. We are currently gathering information (this calls for a spreadsheet!!) on bulk prices we can get from various suppliers. Once we've determined the best bang for the buck that we can get, we'll be buying the items and then packaging up bags for each of the adults, children, and babies that are now living in our community. If you would like to help when it's time to pack, please email me and I'll keep you in the loop!

We had a wonderful gathering with our friends from the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health and the Ayer Fire Department last Thursday late afternoon. Nurse Maureen and Firefighter John shared important information on wound care, CPR, using an ace bandage properly, and other basics of first aid. Perhaps the most important information they shared was on when you need to dial 9-1-1 with no delay. Trevor and James from Ayer Public Access Corporation were there to film the event, and as soon as the video is posted on their website, I will share the link. Plus, you'll be able to request the slides from the workshop in pdf format! Our deepest gratitude to all of these people for sharing their time and talents with the whole community  💕

On to more mundane matters: all of our tax forms for 2023 have been sent out to our donors, either by email, or by post. If you didn't get forms for monetary donations you made to Stone Soup Kitchen (or if they're wrong) or you need an in-kind form, please let me know. Also, someone donated to us through the American Online Giving Foundation. Perhaps you intended to be anonymous, but if not, please know that we were not informed who the gift was from. You can email me if you'd like!

If you can shop for us this week, our stock of a couple of items is low. We are especially in need of the following items: small boxes of instant potatoes and the 18 oz sized containers of unflavored oatmeal (whole rolled or quick cook). 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 love you all! Thank you for your continued support...it means the world to some people!