MV Rotarians Learn That Food Banks Needs All The Help They Can Get

Amy Pessia, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, told the Merrimack Valley Rotarians that there is a critical need for food right now. But, she did mention to the members that there is a need throughout the year. So that it is important to remember the Food Bank now, but also during June, July and August.


The Food Bank is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides nutritious food and personal care items to emergency feeding programs serving the low-income, homeless and hungry. They are one of four food banks in Massachusetts.

Mission

Their mission statement says that "the focus of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank is to help meet a person's most profound need - adequate nutrition and freedom from hunger.Because of the current economic conditions, human service agencies are finding it difficult to find food for their clients. Only through cooperative efforts can society initiate change develop strategies to alleviate hunger and work toward the well being of all people.It is a basic human need to have adequate access to an environment conducive to well- being, which includes food, shelter and clothing. "

History

In October 1993, they formed their own non-profit organization after separating from the Middlesex Shelter (now the Lowell Transitional Living Center). They started with little funding, a donated U-Haul truck, free space in an old mill building, a twenty- year old refrigerator/freezer, four food companies and six agencies in Lowell. They have grown tremendously since then, thanks to their many friends and partners.

They Have Grown

They now occupy two levels of a historic mill building in Lowell, and have 2 refrigerated trucks. Their facility has a large refrigerated storage area as well as two large walk-in freezers. They have expanded their service areas to include the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. They now operate 7 programs and have increased their agency base to over 110. Most recently merged with M/A-COM Food Share's Mobile Pantry and Summer Lunch programs in 2004, and to continue these important feeding projects.

For More Information

If you want more information on the Food Bank visit their web site at: http://www.mvfb.org/index.htm

District 7910 Communications Network

Here's our new vision on a virtual social network. We plan to roll this out before year end. Send us your comments, we'd appreciate the input.

District 7910 Communications Network

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MV Rotarians Ring Bell For Salvation Army

For more than 20 years, the Merrimack Valley Rotary has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the Walmart in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Show are some of the crew that keep that bell ringing all day on Saturday, December 6th. Most ringers reported that the donations were brisk regardless of the economy.
Thanks to MV Rotary member James Fitton for organizing this successful event!

Tuba Christmas Has Become A MV Rotary Tradition

Merrimack Valley Rotary members took in the sights and the sounds of 150 tubas playing Christmas songs at the Tuba Christmas at Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday, December 1, 2008. The event featured Elliot Farnsworth, husband of Club member Debi Farnsworth. The event lasted an hour and included a full array of Christmas songs as well as tuba version of the Hallelujah Chorus.

After the event, the members took in a tour of the Custom House, thanks to our tour guide, Patrick Crowley, and then a visit to Mr Dooley's Pub. We all look forward to a return to the event again next year!