Good morning all! I've been thinking a lot lately. That can be a dangerous pass-time when it's not directed properly, so I've been working hard to keep it on track :-) You probably all know the saying, “You don't know what you don't know.” It's not just that you don't know stuff, it's that you don't even know that there are whole categories of stuff that you're not aware of.
One area that I do know I am challenged in is grants. I know how to write them (mostly), but I don't always know how to find them, especially corporate grants. The community foundations that cover our area (Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts) have both been really helpful and supportive. We have also been supported by donations and volunteer hours by many fabulous local businesses, churches, and civic groups. I deeply appreciate all of these amazing organizations. What I don't know about, or know how to find, are corporate grants, so I'm coming to all of you: Do any of you work for businesses that sponsor grants for Massachusetts non-profits? The one thing that I DO know about corporate grants is that it helps tremendously to have someone who works for the company as a point of contact.
I'm asking for your help with this, because our expenses have increased. No surprise, right? The price of everything has gone up, donations have slowed down, and more people (particularly more elderly people) are coming for help. We are not looking for more grants in order to scale up what we do...there are other organizations that do that very well. Our desire is simply to not ever fail in our mission to build a community with the people who come to us for help, as we address their needs for food and support.
We will be having our monthly Craft Gathering this coming Saturday morning, May 11 from 10 to noon in the dining/activity room. Our craft guru, Debbie Eaton, will be on hand to guide projects as needed. You're welcome to bring your own project to work on or to use any of the plethora (I love that word!) of supplies and tools that we have. There are never any fees, so please come to this family-friendly event, and perhaps you'd like to make a special Mother's Day card for Sunday! There will be coffee, juice, and cookies available, as well as great conversation and crafting. This is a self-supporting program that individual donors and the Ayer Cultural Council have funded, and we appreciate them.
If you can shop for us this week, we will gratefully take any food items from our full list that you might find on sale! If you need the list, please let me know. We are particularly in need of these items: low-sugar cereals, 18 oz containers of plain oatmeal, small boxes of Jiffy-style mix (cornbread or biscuits), 1 or 2 lb bags of rice, canned baked beans, canned regular beans (anything except for green beans), boxed mac + cheese, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti pasta, and toilet paper. 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 hope you all have an absolutely fabulous week...I love you all!
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