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What's New at The Family Pantry of Cape Cod

Newsletter - November 2016

By Michael Provost @ Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Director'sChair

The holidays are upon us and The Pantry is in full swing. This is the time of year when the Family Pantry really shows it's magic. So many people count on us as hours are cut and work is less prevalent. Those on the lower cape are seeing the benefit of the newly launched "Healthy Meals in Motion" mobile pantry and the volunteer "elves" are busily working on getting ready for the Toy and Turkey dinner distributions. Please spend a minute and catch up on all that is happening, including two amazing anonymous donations and our recognition as a "Service Enterprise" organization.

Happy Holidays and thank you for being a part of our "Family"-- Christine

Shop for the Hungry...... wow!

We are excited and humbled by two significant anonymous donations we received in the past week. A family with long term ties to the Cape and one that has been a historical donor to the Family Pantry for many years donated $100,000. A family from Chatham donated $25,000 in memory of a beloved sister who was active in the hunger community for many years. There are no words that are adequate in expressing our gratitude. This generosity will make it possible for the Family Pantry to continue to serve the Cape community at the highest level.

The Family Pantry recognized as a Service Enterprise Organization

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod was recently recognized as a "Service Enterprise" organization. The Pantry has demonstrated it is a high performing organization that has deeply integrated volunteers into their strategic plan and organizational infrastructure. The recognition proves to the Pantry's funder, volunteer and client communities that The Pantry is best in class. Kudos to operations manager Pat Brophy, warehouse manager Jim O'Bara, office manager Lori Dayton and a host of volunteers, in building the processes and procedures to ensure a great experience for the Family Pantry volunteer and client.

Toy Day Distribution

The Family Pantry has distributed toys to children in need for many years and this year looks to be record setting. In 2015 the toy program provided for over 1000 children. Clients with registered children are eligible for a bag of toys, puzzles, games and new clothing (Pre-registration is required and ends on 12/8). A bike lottery is held thanks to the generosity of the Armbruster family. A very generous donation from Matt Cole of Cape Associates has allowed the Pantry to expand the program and provide gifts for children up to 14 years of age. Cape Destinations donates a vehicle to shuttle the many elves needed to and from the Pantry, alleviating traffic jams, and many many others donate their time,talent and treasure in getting toy and clothing donations. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Pantry, the Harwich Chamber of Commerce, Harwich Cape Cod 5 locations, Second Glance Thrift Boutique, Monahan and Co, Fine Jewelers, Talbots, The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and William Raveis Realty. Please consider gift cards to the Simon Mall for the older children. Click here for more information on donating.

Thanksgiving Dinner Distribution

This year the Pantry will distribute 500 complete turkey dinners to those in need across Cape Cod. Pantry clients with three or more people in their family are eligible to receive a turkey dinner with all "the fixins" on November 20th from 9:00-11:30 am (Pre-registration is required and ends on 11/17). The Wayside Inn, in Chatham continued it's generous Thanksgiving tradition of donating 100 turkeys to the program. Those in the community wishing to donate frozen turkeys and frozen pies can drop them off at the Pantry.Click here to learn more.

"Healthy Meals in Motion" mobile pantry adds Brewster Council on Aging

The mobile pantry continues to expand with the addition of the Brewster Council on Aging in November. Distribution is held in the community room of the Frederick Court Housing complex, due to construction at the Brewster COA. Executive Director Denise Rego, Brenda Locke, Leila Botsford and Debra Johnson were instrumental in making the mobile pantry come alive in Brewster. New clients can register for the Healthy Meals in Motion mobile pantry by calling the Brewster COA outreach team at 508-896-2737. The mobile pantry will service the Brewster COA on the second Wednesday of every month.

Community College Family Pantry Re-Launches

The Family Pantry has run a satellite food pantry at 4C's for the past three years in response to a significant need in the student population.20% of students enrolled in community colleges across the country, have been identified as food insecure, unsure of where their next meal is coming from.Adjunct faculty member Kelly Brox and a group of students from "Project Forward" along with other volunteers, are running the pantry to ensure that students, faculty and staff have access to healthy food during the academic year. The pantry is located on the lower level of the gymnasium building and is open Monday 2-4, Tuesday 10-1 & 2-4:30, and Thursday 10-1. Clients are able to shop the pantry once a week and receive a full bag of non-perishable groceries.Registration is easy and more information can be found by calling 508-362-2131 ext 4365. Drop ins are welcome!

Become a Bag A Month Ambassador

The Family Pantry "Bag A Month" ambassador program is a critical revenue stream for the Pantry. Community members are able to donate on a monthly basis giving $25 which provides one bag of groceries/month for those in need. Please go to our website and sign up to be a Bag A Month Ambassador.

Donors and Friends

The Family Pantry would be lost without our volunteers and our donor community. Every donation counts, whether it is time, food, clothes, talent or treasure. Below see a few of the individuals, families, organizations and teams who make The Family Pantry of Cape Cod possible. Starting upper left clockwise,

Jack Conway Real Estate team provided a truck load of children's clothing, formula and diapers to the Family Pantry
The Blue Cross Blue Shield team sent 50 volunteers and $5000 to help the Pantry get ready for the busy giving season.

Josh Schiff, manager of the Chatham Bars Inn Farm partnered with the Pantry for the second year to provide hundreds of pounds of organic produce for pantry clients.

Rockland Trust represented by Tom Langway and Theresa Richards present Christine Menard a $2500 check for the Shop for the Hungry campaign
Jim Wolf and Barbara Melanson from Hyannis Air present a check for $360 to operations manager Pat Brophy

Additionally we thank:

The Allen Harbor Yacht Club's Thanks for Giving Event raised over $16,000, exceeding the 2015 results! A great event run by a wonderful group of people!

Matt Cole of Cape Associates, Inc. donated $5000 to the Family pantry toy drive!

Volunteer Openings

There are always openings for volunteers at the Pantry and at the Second Glance Thrift Boutique. We have positions that are client facing and those that are "behind the scenes".

Click here to learn more about volunteering and to submit an application.

Once the online application is received, Linda Merriam, the volunteer coordinator will call you and set up an appointment to discuss the various openings.

The Family Pantry | 508-432-6519 | cmenard@thefamilypantry.com | http://www.thefamilypantry.com

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Client Shopping Hours:

Tuesday	10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday	10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Thursday	10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM - 12 Noon

Note: No New Client Registration on Saturdays

Note: Pantry will close 15 minutes prior to posted closing time

Donation Drop-Off Hours:

Tuesday	8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday	8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Thursday	8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Note: No Donations are taken on Saturdays

Drop off is at the Family Pantry Warehouse

Office Hours:

Monday	8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday	8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday	8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday	8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday	8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod
133 Queen Anne Rd, Harwich, MA 02645
(508) 432-6519 | Fax: (508) 432-7083

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