May 27, 2024 newsletter

 

Good morning friends, When I was a child, I thought of Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day as being sort of the same thing. Obviously, they're not, and I now know better, but it doesn't stop me from thinking about and thanking those who are on active duty and those who are veterans. But mostly I do think about, and am grateful to, those who sacrificed themselves for all of us. If there is a member of your family that didn't come home, I am very sorry for the loss you have suffered for the sake of all of us.

I have some updates for you this week: Thank you to everyone involved in the donation and transportation of baby food and other items to the Ayer Shelter. They were received with great joy! Thank you for the loan of a replacement microwave for Friday dinners! Thank you to the contacts who work for and who told me about grants that I could write to National Grid, the Clif Family Foundation, and the ELCA! We now have a contact for Bank of America so that I can write that grant next year. Yup, it's on my calendar, because we missed this year. I'm still looking for a contact for Pepsi or Epic. Will you please contact me if you work there?

Why am I focusing so much on grant writing recently? Because the cost of everything has gone up. For several months in a row, we spent more than what came in. Everyone is strapped, and we know that. My deepest gratitude to those who donate on a regular basis. You may think it's not much, but it does make a difference! The story of stone soup reminds us that many people, each contributing a little, makes a really great meal.

On that note, if you can shop for us this week, we need to stock up on some of the products that are more in demand going into summer: boxed mac + cheese, small boxes of plain instant potatoes, canned pasta like spaghettios, canned fruit in juice, spaghetti pasta, spaghetti sauce, and 18oz containers of plain oatmeal. We will gratefully take any food items from our full list, but especially the items on the short list above! 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 for your support, and I love you all!