No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~AESOP

DEAR FRIENDS OF THE DRACUT FOOD PANTRY & VOLUNTEERS:

Some of our clients are quite the early birds – arriving very early to the mill parking lot in order to get the lowest numbers when the doors are opened by arriving board members. Fortunately, we are one of the lucky food pantries, thanks to the generosity of the Gorman family.

While some pantries have small or non-existent waiting areas, we have access to a large, heated hallway that we set up with comfortable chairs, magazines, a children’s play area and now even coffee and hot cocoa. Though we wish we could eliminate the wait, we do everything possible to make it a wait with dignity. The reward for these struggling families is a well-stocked pantry, thanks in no small part to your generosity.

Check out our web site at:
www.dracutfoodpantry.com

Most Needed Items for February 28

Thanks to food drives large and small, we are well stocked with veggies, fruits, beans, soups, pasta,
tuna and other basics. The following shelves are now low or empty:
WAKE-UP CALL
QUICK OATS OR OLD-FASHIONED OATMEAL
(ALL SET WITH INSTANT) — COFFEE & TEA –HOT COCOA — PANCAKE MIX — PANCAKE
SYRUP – COLD CEREAL
CANNED PROTEINS
TURKEY BREAST – CHICKEN BREAST – SPAM –CHILI – CANNED PASTAS W/ MEATBALLS –
SLOPPY JO
WINTER WARM-UP
JARS OF PASTA SAUCE – RICE (ALL KINDS) –CHOWDERS (CLAM & CORN) – HAMBURGER
HELPER – ALL CANNED TOMATO PRODUCTS
THE COOKIE JAR & SNACK SHELF
COOKIES & CRACKERS — GRANOLA BARS –MICROWAVE POPCORN – BAKING MIXES
(CAKE, BROWNIE, COOKIE, MUFFIN) –
BAKING STAPLES – NUTS OR OTHER SNACKS
KIDS’ STUFF
GRAPE JELLY – FLUFF – JUICE BOXES –SCHOOL SNACKS
THE SANDWICH BOARD
MAYONNAISE – MUSTARD – KETCHUP –PICKLES – SALAD DRESSING
PAPER & TOILETRIES PACKS
PAPER TOWELS – TOOTHPASTE — SHAMPOO– CONDITIONER — SOAP – OTHERS
WELCOME (ALL SET WITH TOILET TISSUE)
February 2009

A Day Brightener

Last January, then 6-year-old Evan Mills and his dad came to the pantry with boxes of food to donate. At a time when our food supply was low, Evan requested that his friends bring food for the pantry to his birthday party instead of gifts. He and his family figured that Evan was just visited by Santa -– did he really need more toys? The board expressed our appreciation to Evan, who beamed with pride at his accomplishment.

The experience clearly stuck with him because as his 7th birthday approached, he told his family he wanted to collect for the food pantry again. Evan and his dad surprised us during our January opening with cash donations and food (some of which was put immediately on shelves that were depleting quickly). Once again Evan beamed with pride. It was uplifting to see that the simple reward of knowing that he helped families in need made a young boy want to repeat his good deed. Lucky for Dracut, Evan is just one of many examples of selflessness from the young people in our community. We are deeply grateful for their devotion, energy and compassion. Special thanks to the staff and patrons of M.G. Parker Library and also to members of the Dracut Council on Aging for their generous donations of hats, mittens, scarves and gloves – many of which were beautifully hand-knitted. Our clients were delighted to be able to choose items that they needed. Several left “wearing” their new gifts – others brought them home for their children.

The Dracut Food Pantry is open the FOURTH Saturday of every month.
Hours are 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Non-perishable food donations are welcome at our main drop-off point, the Dracut Central Fire Station on Pleasant Street (across from the softball fields). Bins are located inside the main lobby on the right.
Food is also collected at M.G. Parker Library and at Dracut Council on Aging.
Tax-deductible donations are welcome. Please make checks out to Dracut Food Pantry and mail to Dracut Food Pantry, 1934 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut, MA 01826 — 978-957-8600
www.dracutfoodpantry.com

To join the Friends of the Dracut

Food Pantry, email friends@comcast.net

2009 Board of Directors:

Jim O’Loughlin, Chairman
Jim Carr – Kevin Willett
Karon Bergeron – Debbie Hovanasian
Anne Edwards – Ann Vandal
Deacon Everett Penney
Bob Donnelley — William Zounes