January 8, 2025 Newsletter
December Update
With 2024 behind us, it is inspiring to look back and see the positive impact that our volunteers and donors have made, working together to assist their neighbors in need in our communities. Together your generosity has enabled us to:
Fill 14,324 requests for food assistance, a 21.2% increase over 2023
Provide food for a total of 34,620 family members, a 25.7% increase
Pick and pack 64,222 bags of food, a 17% increase
Call over 130 of our guests each week who are not comfortable ordering online.
Delivered 8,978 requests for food to our guests with transportation issues, a 20.5% increase.
We are grateful for the energy, camaraderie and can-do attitude that our all-volunteer team demonstrates 7 days a week, week-in and week-out, despite the discomforts of windy, rainy, hot or cold weather. Their teamwork and friendship make working at the pantry both fun and rewarding.
A Special Thanks!
To all the organizations who ran food drives and the volunteers who worked on them this holiday season, we are very grateful for your service to the panty. Thank you!!
Be Well Study
We are happy to report that we are in the 4th week of the Be Well Study which is focused on assisting our guests to make healthier food choices. This two-year study is sponsored by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Hospital. We are enabling our guests to make better informed food choices by implementing a traffic light labeling system that highlights healthier foods.
To date, we have color coded the background color of 70 – 80% of the items on our online ordering system based on how much Saturated Fat, Sodium and Added Sugars each item has. Items low in Saturated Fat, Sodium and Added Sugars have a green background. Items with a red background contain high levels of the three items. Non-food items and some un-ranked foods have a white background.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT : JACK BARRY
“My role as a volunteer is to direct traffic and keep order in the parking lot. I work from midday to closing on Friday's, and I also pick up produce from local retailers. We have a team of individuals who interact with the guests as they wait for their orders during the loading process. It is enjoyable and rewarding work getting to know fellow volunteers and our Friday guests on a more personal level.
I have had many memorable experiences while volunteering, but the day that two of our volunteers prepared and served ice cream to our guests and families stands out. The guests really enjoyed it, and we did too; they still mention it every now and then! It was a social event enjoyed by volunteers and guests, and made everyone's day a bit brighter.
My wife Karen and I started volunteering when we retired in the summer of 2021. At that time, the pantry was located in the garage on Hanover Street. We were looking for an oppurtunity to give back to the community. A lifelong friend mentioned the Food Pantry to us, and we have truly enjoyed our time ever since.
What has surprised me the most is how organized and busy the pantry is, and how it has grown, thanks to the leadership of Jane Merrow, the director, and all of the volunteers. Everyone gets along, and the volunteers are very supportive of one another. It is inspiring to see such a large group of people with different backgrounds, skills, experiences and ages all work so well together. I believe that if you can spare some time; volunteering is a very rewarding experience. It is also a great way to interact with people in such a positive place.”
HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING FUNDRAISERS
Several of our volunteers donated their time again this holiday season to wrap gifts at Henry Bear's Park. Wishbasket also organized their gift wrapping to benefit the Pantry. Both businesses are located in the Tannery Marketplace.
Thank you to Henry Bear's Park and the Wishbasket for organizing these FUNdraisers!
JANUARY VINTAGE VINO EVENT
Only a few seats left for another amazing Vintage Vino dinner and wine event...Wednesday, January 15, 2025. So hurry and make your reservations now and 100% will benefit the Newbury Food Pantry.
Contact tom@vintagevino.org
DON’T FORGET…
COMEDY NIGHT AT THE GROG TO BENEFIT THE PANTRY
January 17@7:00PM
Tickets are selling fast! Use QR code below, lower left corner, to purchase tickets.
LORETTA FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 starting at 5PM
Our Loretta fundraiser continues… Wednesday, January 8. Starting at 5 pm, Loretta will donate part of the proceeds to the Pantry. Plan on dinner out (take out or eat in). You'll see a lot of familiar faces as the community turns out to support our work. We suggest that you make reservations in advance.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
As our work has expanded to help more neighbors in our community, our need for volunteers has increased. Volunteer opportunities include calling our guests to take their orders on Wednesday, staffing four shifts throughout the day on Friday to fulfill grocery orders for our guests, and assisting in the occasional Food Drive or other special projects on Saturdays.
Here is what our volunteers are saying:
"It’s a real pleasure to work in concert with such friendly, organized people. I loved the fast pace and the way the hours raced by."
"Such an awesome organization. So glad to be a part of this community effort."
"I really enjoy volunteering with you and everyone else at the pantry. It's such important work for the community and everyone is so welcoming and kind."
Come join us! Email Barbara at info@newburyfoodpantry.org to let her know you are interested.
FOOD DONATIONS
We accept food donations every Thursday from 9:30 am -1 pm. If you are not able to drop off at that time, please contact us at info@newburyfoodpantry.org or call 978-358-1077 to arrange another time.
Our most requested items include Coffee, Tea, Flour, Sugar, Baking Mixes, Cereals, Pasta Sides, Jello and Pudding Mixes, Jelly, Broths, Soups, and Toilet Paper.