November 13, 2024 Newsletter
October Update
In October, our volunteers served an average of 298 households requesting food assistance each week. In total, they filled 1,190 food requests, picking and packing 5,268 bags of nutritious food weighing a total of 49,469 lbs. They were able to assist 2,868 people in our 8 neighboring communities.
A total of 415 households requested assistance during the month, an average of 2.9 times. And, we served 19 new households who used the pantry for the first time.
We are frequently asked where our food comes from. In October, 53% came from the Greater Boston Food Bank, either free or purchased at a reduced rate. We purchased 9% locally and the remaining 38% was donated by local businesses, organizations, or Nourishing the North Shore.
Our volunteers pick up donated food from local businesses 7 days a week. In addition, on Friday afternoon, we visit local schools to recover food. Many Individuals dropping off food on Thursday’s are an important source of donated food as are local organizations including the Lions Club, Yankee Homecoming, the Byfield Post Office, the Elder Pet Fund and many others. Addressing food insecurity in our area is a community wide effort. We are grateful for the outpouring of donated food every month by our very generous community.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
If you would like to donate a turkey to the pantry, please send us an email at info@newburyfoodpantry.org. We will be giving them out to our guests on November 22. Thank you in advance.
Also, the pantry will be closed on Friday 11/29, the day after Thanksgiving.
Lastly, everyone here at the pantry wish you all a Happy and Heathy Thanksgiving holiday!!
FOOD DRIVES AND DONATIONS
Thank you to all who contributed through food drives and donations!
The Lions Club, a regular donor to the pantry, held a Food Drive at Market Basket on October 19. Shoppers were able to purchase $20 pre-packed bags of groceries. We received 2,736 lbs of food, $1,395 in cash donations plus gift cards.
Olive's Coffee and Bake House accepted food donations during the month of October. We received 534lbs of food from that effort plus 189lbs of turkeys for our 11/22 Thanksgiving distribution.
In the South End of Newburyport, the Hancock St. Neighborhood Hangout street party collected donations totaling 383 lbs plus $945 in cash donations. Thank you to the residents and volunteers Deb and Peter Zoltai for organizing the drive.
On Saturday, November 2, First Parish Newbury Food Pantry was thrilled to be included in the 5th Annual Turkey Classic. This annual golf event, sponsored by the Wolfe Club (a local charitable men’s social organization) and under the leadership of Wolfe Club member Matt Blanchette, was able to raise $1,150 for the pantry, in addition to other deserving local charities. In total the event raised over $10,000 to be distributed across our community for food security and other important causes. Thanks to our volunteers and thanks to the Wolfe Club!
Lastly, we would also like to acknowledge the generosity of the Next Door Newburyport community.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT : MEET ALLAN JASON
Allan Jason joined the Food Pantry six years ago, shortly after moving to the area. Looking to give back and connect with his new community, he started by loading groceries into guests’ cars on Friday afternoons—a role he loves because of the chance to interact with grateful guests.
Since then, Allan’s involvement has grown. He now handles dairy purchases and is part of the School Food Recovery team, helping to rescue over 200 lbs of food each week from local schools that would otherwise be thrown away.
For Allan, the best part of volunteering is the people. “I moved here not knowing anybody. At the Newbury Pantry, everybody knows my name…and they’re always glad I came.”
Want to join Allan and make a difference? Email info@newburyfoodpantry.org to learn how you can help!
On Saturday, October 19, 2024 the Lions Club will hold a Food Drive at Market Basket from 9:00AM-3:00PM. For $20 each, anyone can buy a pre-packaged bag of groceries to donate to the First Parish Church Food Pantry.
Our Loretta fundraiser will be on Wednesday, November 13. 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.
Vintage Vino Event
Just 2 seats left (as of 11/11) for the next Vintage Vino Event to benefit the pantry is on Tuesday, November 19:
You can register at: tom@vintagevino.org – please forward to family and friends!
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.
FOOD HUB
The First Parish Newbury Food Pantry congratulates Our Neighbors’ Table on the successful launch of the Seacoast Regional Food Hub in Salisbury. The Hub provides a local cross-dock for receiving orders from the Greater Boston Food Bank and, when fully functioning, will provide opportunities for pantries and meals programs to store cold and dry food as well as collaborate in the distribution of surplus food recovered from multiple sources.
Click here to LEARN MORE about their impressive contribution toward fulfilling our shared mission of creating a food-secure region.