March 24, 2025 newsletter

 

Happy Spring everyone! I know that it doesn't yet fully look like Spring out there, but there are some early signs, including some brand new winter irises (Iris Reticulate) that I planted last fall. A picture is attached...it's not great because the wind just wouldn't quit, but at least you can see the pretty pattern on the petal. They're really small, about 6 to 8 inches tall. And they make me happy.

Other things that make us extremely happy...

• A fun event which is coming up soon is Lin and Vinny M's famous hot cocoa stand at the Ayer Shop 'n Save parking lot. Free hot cocoa and glitter tattoos for all, from 10 to noon on Saturday March 29th. Lin will have a list of food items that we are collecting, but there is NO OBLIGATION to buy or donate anything. Just come and have some cocoa, and hang out with some pretty cool kids!

• We had a great visit from our friends at National Grid, who joined the shopping trip for the migrant shelter's communal kitchen. Once again, our thanks go out to Greater Lowell Community Foundation for providing the funds to do this. We will have one more trip next month, which will probably use up the remainder of the funds.
  
  
• Our thanks also go out to Angela and Andy G from Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church for taking care of the Friday night dinner when I was out of town. They did a turkey dinner, and everyone was extremely happy about that. Thank you guys!

• And finally, we are so grateful to our Cookie Brigade, organized by Laurie S (who does a tremendous number of other things behind the scenes for us!). Every couple of weeks, these wonderful people mix up some flour, sugar, eggs, and various delicious ingredients to produce homemade cookies that our pantry guests go crazy for. Thank you all so much!

All of the above are things that you could get involved in if you are thinking about how to make a difference in our community this Spring. Local people come up with ideas, and we talk about how to make it happen! Food drives, cookies, dinner, shopping trips, hair cuts, wellness checks, tutoring, and much much more. Contact us at any time to see how you could get involved. We don't have the same restrictions that we had during the covid shutdown, so there are lots more opportunities to help now!

OK, now I have to get to the part that isn't great. On March 7th, and again last week on March 19th, the USDA was forced to twice cut massive amounts of food deliveries and grants that affect food banks, schools, and local farmers. Obviously this will end up affecting the amount that food pantries like ours can get from the food banks and the non-profit farms we work with like the Boston Area Gleaners. We simply don't know right now what the late Spring and Summer will bring, but our assumption is that our costs will have to go up as we have to buy the specific foods that have previously been donated. 

If you have already bought things that you want to donate to us, 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 love you all, and it's because of people like you that I don't despair. Please take care of yourselves and all of those around you!