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January 2017 Newsletter

By Michael Provost @ Wednesday, February 1, 2017

January 2017 Newsletter
January 2017 Newsletter
Our mission is to provide food and clothing to those in need, regardless!
Director's Chair

The Family Pantry had a great holiday season providing hundreds of Thanksgiving turkey dinners and distributing toys to almost 1000 children; as the Pantry itself was in full swing. It is always wonderful to see the Cape community rally to support the Pantry. Countless organizations and individuals provided "time, treasure and talent" during the holidays.

In 2017 the Pantry has plans to continue to feed and clothe those in need across the Cape; as the Healthy Meals in Motion mobile pantry expands into Provincetown, the Summer Gala is set for June 11th and The Second Glance Thrift Boutique continues to provide a valuable resource and a dependable revenue stream for the Pantry. Thank you to the individuals, the volunteers and the organizations who supported the Pantry throughout 2016, we could not do this without you.-----Christine
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Shop for the Hungry Campaign

Our "Shop for the Hungry Campaign" is nearing the half way mark. To date we have raised $485,000 of the one million dollar goal, thanks to the generosity of many, many contributors small and large. Your donation can be made over three years, allowing the Pantry to pay off the mortgage of the Second Glance Thrift Boutique and thus freeing up funds to buy more food for those in need.

Did you know the new "Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) tax law permits individuals to directly give to a charity through an IRA?
You must be 70 1/2 years old and it counts toward satisfying a minimum required distribution.  Many trustees and custodians already have forms and procedures in place to make this transfer. Please contact your financial adviser.Here is a link for more information  on QCDs.

Click here for information on how you can donate to the campaign through the Family Pantry website.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors hits $60,000 campaign goal!
The Cape Cod Chronicle has been a terrific supporter of the Family Pantry by running the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign over the past13 years.  Each holiday edition this year, worked to educate readers on the importance of the Family Pantry by highlighting various aspects of the organization. This year the goal was set at $60,000 and a summer family from North Chatham stepped up to match $6,225 in donations and to donate over $4,000 in the final week in order to ensure the goal was met. The $60,000 will provide 240,000 meals for Pantry clients. A heartfelt thank you to the Cape Cod Chronicle, Hank Hyora, the Chronicle staff and all those who donated to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign.
"Homeless for the Holidays" Fundraiser Event Tops Last Year

Harwich Fire and Police departments held another successful event over the December 11th weekend.Volunteers camped out in Brooks Park to raise awareness about families in need. Donations were accepted on behalf of the Family Pantry.  The event raised $5,200 in cash donations, 500 new toys and 2400 pounds of nonperishable food items. Thanks to all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Joe Rego and Paul Finn are pictured
Second Glance Thrift Shop will host a Wine and Art event

The Second Glance will be hosting a Wine and Art event on January 24th from 4:00- 6:00 pm.Visit the shop at 265 Main Street in West Harwich to experience what the locals call "the Nordstrom of thrift".  For more information on the event, to donate art or to possibly become a volunteer, please call Carol at 508-432-0636.
Thanksgiving Dinner and Toy Day Distributions

A record number of families were helped during the Thanksgiving turkey dinner distribution and the Toy Day distribution this year. 100 bikes were given away during the Toy day lottery thanks to Matt Cole of Cape Associates, the Armbruster Family, the Morong Family and the Gardner Family. Thank you to Cape Destinations for donating the volunteer shuttle and the Griffin Family for shopping for the older children.  88 volunteer elves, Toys for Tots, and many individuals and organizations made Christmas a little brighter for children across Cape Cod.
"Healthy Meals in Motion" mobile pantry expands to Provincetown!

The mobile pantry will arrive in Provincetown on January 25th at the Council on Aging building at 2 Mayflower Street in Provincetown.  Interested clients must preregister by calling the Provincetown COA outreach team at 508-487-7080. The mobile pantry will service the clients of the Provincetown COA on the fourth Wednesday of every month, providing a complete offering of perishable and nonperishable food items.
The Summer Gala is set for June 11th
The 6th annual Family Pantry Summer Gala
is planned for Sunday June 11th, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 pm. The Gala, sponsored by Tom and Shelly O'Neill has become a much anticipated summer event held at the scenic Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwichport. Entertainment along with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be provided. The Summer Gala benefits the Family Pantry so mark your calendars and get your tickets early! Click here for ticket and sponsorship information.

Become a Bag A Month Ambassador
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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. This is an easy way to support the Family Pantry all year long.  Click here to become a Bag a Month Ambassador.

Donors and Friends
The holiday season brings out the best in everyone and that is true for our donor community.  It is impossible to list all who gave turkeys, food, clothing, and monetary donations during the holiday season.  Here are just a few, from two small children who proudly donated $3.94 cents from their piggy bank, to the many who held food,clothing and monetary drives.Thank you again!
  • Cape Cod Healthcare's coat drive provided 48 boxes of winter coats coordinated by Charlene Clay


  • Monomoy High School students help to assemble
  • Than
    ksgiving dinners and the Monomoy Middle School students donated over 700 lbs of food.

Star Market's "Turkey Bucks" provided complete Thanksgiving Dinners



Additionally we thank:
  • Impeccably Clean's networking event at Bluefins - provided gift cards and toys
  • Benny's Department store, our source for the bike lottery




     The Corvette Club for their annual Toy Drive

  • The Marine Corp Toys for Tots program, a key toy partner for Christmas
  • The Harwich Library Association provided homemade mittens, gloves & hats
  • Diana Di Gioia of Community Acupuncture, held a concert for the Pantry
Volunteer Openings

Office Volunteers Needed - proficient in word and excel.  Respond to phone inquiries, filing, data input, mass mailings and more. Three hour shifts available M-F from 9:30 - 4:00 pm. Will train the right person on Quickbooks.  Call Lori at 508-432-6519

Truck Drivers Needed
No special license required to drive 16' truck.  Early morning run to local supermarkets and transfer station.  Valid license required, able to lift 40 lbs. We will train.  Call Jim at 508-432-6519

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.
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  • January 2017 Newsletter

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