Dear Neighbors,
Celebrating Three Years of Newton Neighbors
March is a month when many in our community take time to reflect, celebrate, and rejoice, observing Lent and Ramadan and celebrating Purim and Holi. March is also a month of celebration for our team: today, March 10, we mark the three-year anniversary of Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
Our little Facebook group of one has grown into a vibrant, active, and all-volunteer nonprofit organization focused on facilitating community connection, mutual aid, and access to resources and support for people in Newton and other local communities. None of this would have been possible without your continued engagement and support!
Thank you for signing up, week after week, to deliver food to neighbors, participate in bulk food delivery, and organize the Newton Community Freedge.
Thank you for responding in a heartbeat to calls for diapers, groceries, birthday gifts, and so much more.
Thank you for so generously sharing information about resources, giving advice, and offering support to one another.
And thank you for helping to cultivate a non judgemental, inclusive, and welcoming space–a space for and of neighbors, not givers and takers.
A Snapshot of Your Accomplishments to Date
An Ode in Celebration
April happens to be National Poetry month, but we think this Newton Neighbors milestone calls for a verse in commemoration right now! One of our team members has written this short poem reflecting on our journey and thanking you for helping to build Newton Neighbors into the thriving organization it is today.
“March”ing into Summer Camp: 61% of the Way There!
Thanks to you, Newton Neighbors helped bridge the gap for 50 Newton students to attend summer camp in 2021 and 2022! Our goal in 2023 is to help 30 - 40 students enjoy the learning, growth, and fun of camp.
When you donate, you fill the gap between the scholarship awarded to these students and the donation their families must pay. That extra payment can be such a challenge, especially in these inflationary times.
For as little as $80 - $100 you can help a student enjoy a week at one of Newton’s Parks and Recreation programs. EVERY donation, no matter the size, gets us closer to our goal!
Please help by making a tax-deductible contribution here. And thank you for being an outstanding neighbor!
Food Pantry Delivery: Call for Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help us deliver from food pantries in Newton to families who are unable to access the pantries themselves. We need drivers for March 17th, 20th and all of April. Bring your kids!
Delivery usually takes about an hour to complete. You can sign up to deliver during one or more of the following times:
Wednesday afternoons from Newton Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned times between 12:15 - 2:45pm.
The third Friday of the month from Post 440 Mobile Food Bank. Pick up food between 9am - 9:15am before they open to the public.
The first Saturday of the month from Centre Street Food Pantry, pick up food between 1:30 - 2:30pm after the pantry has been open to the public.
SPECIAL MARCH DELIVERY DAY from Centre Street Food Pantry on Monday, March 20th. Pick up between 11:30 - 12:30.
Freedge Volunteer Opportunities
The Freedge is going strong and we continue to take care of Thursdays. When you are shopping, it is so helpful to pick up an item or two for the Freedge! Some of the most needed items are milk, eggs, yogurt, butter, flour, cereal, soap, cooking oil, pasta, and mac and cheese. You can bring items or stop by to clean/organize any time, any day, but If you have some time to give on Thursdays, please go to our volunteer signup sheet here.
Bulk Food Delivery Volunteer Opportunities
NN’s bulk food delivery program is looking for short- and long-term volunteers to join us in delivering fresh produce from local food rescue organizations to MetroWest and South Area food pantries. Help bridge that last link in the distribution chain and provide good food to so many who need it. Commitments range from once in a while to once every 4-6 weeks, or even more. Please reach out to us at newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com to volunteer or find out more.
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Thank you again, Newton Neighbors! We look forward to our fourth year of community connection and mutual aid with you.