May 4, 2026 newsletter

 

Good morning good morning! Every week I think that there will be nothing to tell you in the newsletter, and every week there are new people who enter our lives as well as old acquaintances who pop up to say hi and to do something nice for the community. Make sure you check out One Small Thing below...it's really sweet!

To start, Ayer Community School, with whom we share the building, did a food drive for baking supplies for us in the month of April. I've attached a picture of what they left for us last Wednesday. Many of our pantry guests are just thrilled to get Baking Bags from us so that they can add some joy to the lives of their children (and spouses, and friends...). Thank you, ACS!

Next, we were given a really interesting suggestion during our Partners' meeting in January, and we've decided to give it a go this growing season. Our friend Rachel K thought it would be good to offer to pick up excess produce from our gardening friends around our area, and even help them harvest it if need be. You know how you have to keep your car locked during zucchini season? Well, if we give gardeners a way to jettison their excess so that it's not wasted, this shameful practice of stuffing your neighbors' cars with vegetables may come to an end! There's a picture of the post that we're using. If you'd like to take note of it now for future reference, Rachel can be reached at rachelsunflower01432 at gmail dot com

The last major thing for the week is that we were contacted by Alltown Fresh to see if we would like to pick up excess sandwiches, salads, etc on Saturday mornings for distribution at the pantry. We think this will be a wonderful addition to our Coffee Bar, to grab and go or to eat on site. That was another suggestion from the Partners' meeting...to increase the offerings at the CB...but until this call came in, I wasn't sure how we would go about it. Once more, our needs have been provided, and we are so grateful!


* * * * *
One Small Thing
Our friend Cathy D sent us a picture of a tea caddy that she owned but wasn't using. She offered it to us for our Coffee Bar, along with a couple packages of herbal teas. Cher, who runs the Coffee Bar was delighted to have something pretty to put all of our teas into. It made a very nice presentation, along with the beautiful cupcakes that our friend Sarah P and her daughter made for us! Everyone appreciated the lovely touches that these two gifts made  💕

* * * * *

If you can shop for us this week, we would love to have packets of vegetable seeds to give out. 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 look forward...Spring might actually be here!