April 27, 2026 newsletter

 

Good afternoon to all of you! Mike and I went out for breakfast with friends this morning, so I got a late start. But that's not what's important...this week I need to tell you about a whole bunch of young people who are making a difference in the world, and that's what's really important!

Here's a sampling of the advocacy being done by young people at Stone Soup Kitchen, and this is just within the last year:

Lawrence Academy students bake cookies for our pantry
Volunteers come Friday evening from the Groton School
The Girl Scouts donate cookies and time to other projects
The Groton School Day of Service resulted in bagged art kits and snack bags (image attached)
Project 351 put together and donated personal care kits and food (image attached)
Ayer Community School has been collecting baking supplies
Private efforts have resulted in fundraisers and food drives, including lemonade and hot chocolate stands, collections of gently used books, mittens, and socks
And...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. If that doesn't make you feel better about the state of the world, then I don't know what else to say!

Last week we took delivery of our new freezer (the biggest "standard" freezer I've ever seen!), and our friends Bob M and Mike H got it up the stairs and installed it for us. The purchase of this freezer was made possible by a grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. And thanks to the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, we renewed our seasonal "membership" in the Boston Area Gleaners. Fresh produce from the farms will start up in another month or so. We have been so blessed!

Speaking of the Gleaners reminds me of another thing: our friend Melanie P suggested that I ask you all if you have any extra vegetable seed packets, or want to purchase a few, as we would love to be able to pass them out in the next few weeks.

So, if you can shop for us this week, let me add vegetable seed packets to our list. A few other items that we are low on are the following: large bottles of apple juice, boxes of instant potatoes, canned pasta like spaghettios, jars of jelly, hair conditioner, men's deodorant, and razors for men and for women. Please email me if you need our full list or you want our QR code for online donations. 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 do not leave food at the door outside of these hours. The bin is always available at Ayer 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 all, and take heart! The young people are rising, and they care 💕