July 14, 2025 newsletter

 

A beautiful good morning to you all. I hear that we will be entering another heat wave starting tomorrow through Friday, so I hope everyone will be able to enjoy the outdoors sometime today. Excess heat is just as hard on our unhoused neighbors as excess cold, so we hope we won't have too many more of these spells this summer. For a summer that got started a bit late, it certainly has been trying to make up for it!

We were very blessed to have our friend Lyna come visit us on Friday and get us snipped up for the summer. Lyna does great haircuts and has been a wonderful supporter for many years. I've included a picture of her in action. Thank you, Lyna!

I mentioned last week that we were going to be starting with regular distribution of produce from the Boston Area Gleaners' farm. Between the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, regular private donors, Ayer Shop 'n Save, and the Gleaners, we had produce bags that were bursting with fresh goodness! I've included a picture of them too, along with Tina. In a few weeks, peaches and then apples from the Community Harvest Project will be added. This is a glorious time of year for fresh produce. Thank you to the entire team that makes this possible!

 
I also want to give a special shout out to the Coffee Bar team which is working towards being able to be open every (or at least close to every) Saturday morning while the pantry is open. Many thanks to the new folks who have joined the team and who are making themselves available for either a quick cuppa or to lend an ear to anyone who wants to stay and chat. The gift of listening is priceless.

If you can shop for us this week, we will gratefully take any food off of our full pantry list, and if you need that list, please let me know and I'll send it to you. 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 safe week and remember that you are loved!