January 29, 2024 newsletter

 

Another week, more snow! I hope you are all shoveled and plowed out by the time you read this. We had an average busy Saturday in spite of (or maybe because of!) the snow. We also had a large number of people who were picking up for others as well as themselves, which we love. Thanks to Laurie S and the Cookie Brigade, we had a fresh batch of deliciousness to hand out to everyone on Saturday. This was particularly meaningful to our last guest of the day, a gentleman with no fixed address. In general, he is very health-conscious about the foods that he eats, but he also knows that winter is a time for more calories. He was delighted to think that someone (a bunch of someones!) baked cookies for our guests. I'll admit that I gave him extra  😊

We are finishing up our price comparison exploration on the various personal care items and diapers which we'll be purchasing for the migrant group housed in Ayer. I told you about it last week, but if you missed it, we are very grateful to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, for supplying us with grant money to fund this project. Thank you especially to Jennifer, Sharon, and Jay, for continuing to believe in the causes that we care about and helping us to reach further than we otherwise could! It will take us a few weeks to order, receive, and pack everything for distribution. If you are interested in helping us pack and you haven't already emailed me, please drop me a quick line and I'll keep you in the loop.

Back to thinking about cookies for a moment...I want to remind everyone that we decided from the very beginning that we were going to be a relational organization, not a transactional one. We eat together at the Friday night dinners, we learn each others' stories, we build relationships insofar as our participants want to. We do not get involved in activities where we are simply a supplier. We have this amazing network of people who help us do this each week: stocking and packing; delivering the fresh bread, produce, meat, pastries, and pantry supplies; guiding discussions and providing resources for those who need extra help; teaching workshops and craft classes; providing haircuts, tutoring, baking; putting together special treats like holiday and birthday gift bags, art kits...

Without collecting data and paperwork on our guests, we just get to know them, as much or as little as they are comfortable with. We build relationships with them over time, so that they know there are lots of people working with us who care about them. Can you imagine how good that must feel, when you are in a difficult position financially? We can't solve everyone's problems, but we are willing to dig in and help folks work through the resources. And we will always try to help them keep food on their tables so that at least that pressure is off. To all of you, our donors and helpers, thank you!

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: 1 or 2 lb bags of rice (white or brown), small Jiffy-style corn muffin mix or baking mix (approx 8 oz), toilet paper, small boxes of instant potatoes (unflavored), 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!

Thank you all so much for your love and support! I love you all