May 05, 2025 newsletter

 

Good morning to all of you, and happy May! What a beautiful weekend, with the gentle rain that we needed. I looked outside this morning, and the color has intensified since last week. Everywhere I look it's that gorgeous bright spring green that's extra special because it lasts for such a short time.

Our friend Lyna T stopped by on Friday to help us look as beautiful as the landscape! Lyna comes and offers haircuts or trims to our friends during the social time before dinner. She is such a sweetie, helping us out after a long week of work when I know she must be tired.

We also had an opportunity to visit with our friends at the Groton-Pepperell Rotary Club last week. They wanted to know about our new space at Shepherd of the Valley Church, and we discussed the things that make Stone Soup Kitchen unique and the increased need in our region. Personally, I am a great admirer of the work that Rotary International does, and I love their motto: Service Above Self. They were very generous to us in their donation towards keeping our shelves stocked for our friends.

We have yet another reason to be happy at Stone Soup Kitchen...you showed up last week in a big way! Thank you to every one of you who stopped by with some food, sent a monetary donation, asked to help, made phone calls, and sent us your words of support and encouragement. We love what we do, and we're only able to keep doing it, and to keep up with the need, because of your help! Over the last 2 weeks, we've had 20 new people come for help. Fortunately, we were ready for them this week. Last week, we had to resort to giving gift cards to the last several people who came so they could go buy their fresh produce and bread, but we planned better for the increase this past Saturday. No one ever leaves empty-handed, but we hate it when we run short on anything.

Speaking of produce, we have received a message from the Boston Area Gleaners, who supply most of our produce during the growing season. They own the Stonefield Farm in Acton and they also collect produce from all over the State to send to pantry partners like us. They have experienced some real hits due to the USDA cuts:

• Like at many farms across the state, planting has begun at Stonefield Farm. While we are excited for the growth we are already seeing in our fields, we understand the serious challenges facing farmers.
  Due to unexpected USDA funding cuts, many local farmers who invested in supplies last year under the assumption they would be reimbursed through federal grants in 2025 are now facing a harsh reality — those grants were eliminated from the federal budget. This sudden loss of funding puts immense strain on farms that already operate on tight margins. And as you know, without farms, there is no food.
  That is why we have launched a Procurement Fund to increase our capacity to procure fresh, local produce and distribute it to our network of food access organizations.

If you would like to get involved with the Gleaners or donate to their Procurement Fund, you can visit their website https://www.bostonareagleaners.org/ or call (781) 894-3212.

If you can shop for us this week, we are only low on a couple of items: cans of baked beans and canned pasta like spaghettios. Of course, we will gratefully take any food off of our full pantry list. 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

Thank you so much for your help. I was proud to tell the Rotary Club that it is primarily the support of the community that makes this all work. Love you all!