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!

MV Rotary Serves Up A Meal For Those In Need

The Merrimack Valley Rotary served a meal on Friday November 21 at the Transitional Living Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The mission of the Center is a community supported, non-profit organization, provides a safe, temporary shelter for homeless men and women of Greater Lowell. In a multi-services focused environment, volunteers and staff provide opportunities for individuals to end their homelessness.
During these difficult economic times the needs in centers such as this one are on the rise, and it was reward and an honor for the members of the Club to be there to help the Center and its clients.
On the Center's web site is the following statement: "We believe that a consistent, focused, client driven approach towards addressing the tragedy of homelessness is the best and most effective method towards ending these crises. There is hope. There is help. Here, at the Lowell Transitional Living Center, we focus all our efforts in facilitating a positive change in people’s lives. At LTLC we end homelessness. . . .one person at a time."

MV Rotary Hosts Its 4th And Largest Antiques Appraisal Fundraiser!

The MV Rotary held its fourth successful Antique Appraisal Night on Wednesday, November 19 at the First Parish Church in Westford. The event was again hosted by Skinners Stuart Whitehurst of the famed Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Funds raised by the event will be given to the Rotary Foundation as part matching grant challenge presented by the Bill Gates Foundation.

One of the highlights of the night was a document signed by John Hancock, which Stuart said was worth $3000-$5000. Other items were painting, swords, rifles, books, clocks, and an array of other items. This event proven to attract the largest audience yet to any of shows in this series. The Club plans another event in the spring 09. For more information on this and future such events, write to mvrotary@gmail.com

MV Rotary's Second Annual Apple Pie Contest Has A Winner!

Merrimack Valley Rotarian Debi Farnsworth was the winner of this year's Apple Pie Contest. Debi baked an apple pie which had a secret ingredient......caramel! Everyone wants to go over to Debi's house for the holidays and taste the rest of her cooking! Congratulations Debi!