First Parish Sherborn - 1250 ACTS TO END HUNGER

UUAC First Parish in Sherborn, Mass.

Links

Unitarian Universalist Area Church
First Parish, Sherborn
11 Washington Street - P.O. Box 158 - Sherborn, MA 01770, (508) 653-1422

1250 ACTS TO END HUNGER

MISSION:

To provide non perishable food items, paper products, toiletries, and money to A Place to Turn, an emergency food pantry located in Natick, MA, serving the metrowest area.

HOW IT WORKS:

Church members are encouraged to donate at least 1250 items to A Place to Turn each calendar year. The Social Action Committee matches one dollar for each item donated up to $1250 per calendar year. A Place to Turn uses this money to purchase needed items including perishables.

UU PRINCIPLES:

Speak out for Children _ 1996 General Resolution . . . . THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association shall act and urge its affiliates, member societies, and individual Unitarian Universalists to: support children in their rights to adequate food, . . .

Ending Hunger _ 1987 General Resolution . . . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That Unitarian Universalists work with organizations on local, state, provincial, national, and international levels toward the establishment of programs that hasten the elimination of hunger in both the short and long term . . .

PARTICIPATION and SCHEDULE:

Items may be dropped off any time during church hours; all church members and friends are encouraged to donate regularly. Two convenient collection baskets are located in the back of the sanctuary and another one is located in the side entrance to the church office. Just an item or two each week makes a big difference. Donations are brought to A Place to Turn every couple of weeks; checks are sent monthly.

A volunteer restocks at A Place to Turn

GOAL:

2008 Items Collected:

Jan. 68 Jul.

Feb. 103 Aug.

Mar. 94 Sep.

Apr. 81 Oct.

May 113 Nov.

Jun. Dec.

Year to Date: 459 Items

DONATIONS and GUIDELINES: The following items are
welcomed at A Place to Turn:

Rice, Beans, Pasta of all kinds, Side Dishes such as Rice-a-Roni, Rice Pilaf
Spaghetti Sauce and other Tomato products
Canned Vegetables, Fruit, Stews, Meat, Tuna fish
Soups, Juices, Jell-O, Pudding
Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly
Hot and Cold Cereal
Paper Towels, Facial Tissue, Toilet Paper, Disposable Diapers
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Deodorant, Soap
Feminine Hygiene Products, Shaving Products
Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies
Clothing, Sheets, Blankets, and Towels are also accepted.

Please Note: All items are to be in good condition. No food items are to be opened, perishable, or beyond their expiration date. Please avoid glass containers.

BENEFITS:

A Place to Turn has found the need for food to be increasing each year and greatly appreciates our church's contributions. More than 500 people seeking food assistance come through the doors of A Place to Turn each month. Most of the people who come are working and making money, but often it is minimum wage, and compared with the high cost of living in the metrowest area, they have trouble making ends meet. Unfortunately, the root causes of hunger in our affluent society are not being addressed vigorously enough, which is troubling. In the meantime, we can help, not by "ending" hunger, but by helping to alleviate it one item at a time. Until all people in our prosperous country have enough to eat all of the time, efforts such as ours at A Place to Turn are needed and appreciated.