February 03, 2025 newsletter

 

Fred Rogers, American hero:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."


If you have already read the prequel to this Monday letter, then you know that these times are chaotic and troubling for us at Stone Soup Kitchen, and not because of our move. The move went very smoothly, thanks to the outpouring of help from many of you. Our Friday night dinners continued with no pause, and after one week off, we were able to reopen the pantry this past Saturday. Thank you to everyone who helped with this undertaking, and thank you to Shepherd of the Valley, our new home!

Back to Fred Rogers's quote. It has implications that go both ways. As a 100% volunteer non-profit, Stone Soup Kitchen has to look to you to find helpers, now more than ever. For you, if you are feeling overwhelmed or powerless, look for those who are helping, at whatever level, and join in where you feel called. Beginning local will have the most immediate impact: volunteer or donate to those doing the work you support. At a slightly higher, regional level, there is the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. These are some of the folks that provide a lot of the food and the grants for specific projects that we do. Your dollars and/or time will combine with that of many others to help support local projects like ours. And uphill it goes, along the chain through the State, and all the way to big national organizations and platforms. Most of us don't have a national platform of our own, but we can always join in the efforts of those who do, and who are actually helping. There are so many programs and non-profits whose funding is in jeopardy...research them and pick one! Please pay attention to the salaries at the top of the national organizations and their administrative costs when you are deciding where to put your donation money and time.

Two organizations that I love and admire, and with whom I have a relationship, came under attack in the last two weeks. Most of you probably know that Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde was vilified for asking for mercy for the vulnerable in a sermon delivered in her own church during the National Prayer Service. She was called nasty, boring, rude, and has been getting death threats as a result. To those who told her not to be “political” in church, then perhaps they should think about not doing a service that specifically brings politicians into the house to hear a message about human virtues. The Episcopal Church happens to be the church that I attend, and to say we were shocked by the attack is putting it mildly.

The second organization that I want to highlight this week is the ECLA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Stone Soup Kitchen's brand new home is an ECLA called Shepherd of the Valley. This denomination (not the local church) has been accused of receiving “illegal” federal payouts through the Lutheran Social Service program. Here is a short article explaining the program and the accusations: clintschnekloth.substack.com/p/musk-and-flynns-attack-on-lutheran 

 The accusations are patently absurd, but could be quite damaging nonetheless. Here is a short, to-the-point response from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ECLA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liqz0VdZG1E

In the midst of the uncertainty, wonderful things are happening at the local level. First, we are committed to serving each week for as long as we are able, with the resources we have. We are grateful to all of you who have volunteered and donated so faithfully. We will continue to be faithful with whatever you entrust to us. This week, besides having a great time at Friday dinner and the Saturday pantry, we came across two different families, simply because of our new location, who were in need of some help outside our regular hours. Both of these families are headed by people who are working. Both of these families fall into the category of being helpers themselves. Of course, we are here to love and serve everyone, but I have to admit that it gave me a boost in this time when the vulnerable are being demonized to see and experience this. Many thanks to Shepherd of the Valley for finding and serving one of the families.

If you can shop for us this week, we could particularly use personal care items like shampoo, razors, men's and women's deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We can take drop-offs at the pantry (through the gray door next to the parking lot on Cambridge Street) on Wednesdays from 10 to noon, Fridays from 4 to 5, and Saturdays only from 9 to 10. Please note that these are shorter hours than before, because of parking logistics. Please do not leave food at the door outside of these hours. 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! We are located at 21 Washington Street, Suite C, Ayer MA 01432

I'm sorry for the longer-than-average letter today! I love you all and really appreciate you 💕