Archive for the 'Food Pantry'

Find friends, fellow writers, and a new perspective on your life journey. This fun and creative writing workshop inspires you with writing prompts and exercises to remind you of who are and who you’ve been. Write a few chapters of your spiritual memoir. In this workshop, you are invited to write and share. Jump in right where you are. Chat, write, and share your work in this safe, supportive, and confidential space. Take the time to stretch yourself. Have a spa day for the soul! Join blogger Mary Beth Coudal, co-founder of www.bootcamp4writers.com, on this afternoon retreat. Perfect for the hesitant, occasional, and experienced writer. Writers, please bring a notebook and pen or laptop to write on. Registration fee of $25 goes to the food pantry. Send an email to firstchjp@aol.com to secure your spot in the workshop!

Jane Zerby writes: To food pantry volunteers and supporters: We had a very busy day at pantry yesterday and I want to thank all of you who came to help. You were all terrific! 55 folks came through our doors, quite a large number for us, and we were able to give everyone fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, a wide assortment of staples, and an added treat: donated Girl Scout cookies which brought a smile to all. Several folks were first-time visitors, so the word about our pantry is still spreading. As usual, our customers included people of all ages and races, speaking several different languages. I think we now have our procedures, and the food, better organized for an easier flow of traffic; we can more easily help people in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities. We’ve learned a lot in 3+ years. Thanks again, so much, for all your help. (More pictures after the jump!) Read more

Jane Zerby writes: Thanks very much to everyone who was able to help yesterday (December 15). 43 people showed up and enjoyed cookies and candy, as well as When Pigs Fly bread, a bountiful supply of fresh produce, lots of canned staples, and helped themselves to hats and gloves. And Terry went out and brought us coffee! Steve and Gwyn designed a new set-up, placing all the tables and the shelving unit in the coffee hour room in a semi-circle – lots more room and a real farmers’ market atmosphere. I think we’ll keep it! Our next pantry day is January 5, 2012 and the dates for 2012 are posted. We’ve had 7 pantry days since September and have given out more than 300 servings of food! We’ve been able to keep up with the increased demand because of the generosity of our congregation and donations from Whole Foods and When Pigs Fly Bakery. Thank-you notes are on their way to our community partners and our 12/12 congregation members. Have a great holiday, everybody. See you in January. And again, thank you so much.

Please donate new or gently-used gloves, mittens, hats, scarves (also men’s socks) for both men and women between now and mid-January. Many visitors to the food pantry are not warmly clothed — we offer them something to keep their heads and hands warm.  PLEASE: no other clothing except warm accessories. Spread the word to your family, friends, co-workers — we probably all have at least one pair of unused gloves in our closet. You may drop donations off at First Church in Jamaica Plain, 6 Eliot St., during office hours on Tues/Thurs 9 to 1, or on Sunday mornings.

The food pantry always welcomes donations. Pantry hours are 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12 noon. Any questions or thoughts, please contact either Jane Zerby or Gwyn Helie.