June 2, 2025 newsletter

 

What a lovely way to start a new month with all the sunshine and flowers today! As much as I appreciate the greenery all around us, I appreciate all of you even more. We are heading for some tough months ahead with all of the social safety net funding cuts, job losses, and market instability, but I believe that you are going to help us to keep up with it as best we all can...together. I would like to encourage each of you to continue to contact our Senators on a regular basis to remind them to fight against the cuts to SNAP and the USDA, the threats against nonprofits that are built into the tax bill they are now considering.

We had a great gathering on Friday for dinner, and we were treated to a visit from our local nurses from the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. It's the first time since we moved that we've had them come for wellness checks, and there were people who were eager to get together and ask questions. We said goodbye to our beloved Nurse Maureen S, as she is retiring soon, and hello to our new friend, Nurse Bridget H. We wish Maureen all the best in the happy days ahead!

At the pantry on Saturday, we learned that the Job Corps program, including the Shriver Center in Devens, is being shut down by the US Department of Labor by June 30. We were shocked. This program has been instrumental in educating many young people who went on to have fabulous careers. In our local towns, it has been a great alternative for some rather than dropping out of high school. For others, it's been a means to get further training for those who can't afford college. We don't know right now what that will mean for those who are currently enrolled, especially for those who are in the middle of their programs. Since Job Corps are residential programs, we also don't know what that will mean for those who have been counting on them for food and shelter.

Many of you know that the migrant shelter at our local motel is also closing down by June 30. A wonderful group of volunteers from our communities has worked hard to help the residents with everything from language lessons to planting a vegetable garden. One thing that was very successful was their ongoing clothing collection. In fact, it was a bit too successful! The excess clothing will be given away to anyone who needs it TOMORROW, Tuesday, June 3rd. Stop at the office to sign in, and the clothing will be on the Shop 'n Save side of the motel parking lot, near the back.

If you can shop for us this week, we will gratefully take any food off of our full pantry list, and we could especially use cans of baked beans, canned pasta like spaghettios, and 18oz containers of oatmeal. 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

Have a lovely week and remember that you are loved!