Cambridge Pantry Director Sarah Harrington knew Wednesday would be busy.

Due to the massive snowstorm, the pantry had to cancel last weekend’s food distribution.

She knew the Wednesday offering would be jammed and require three days of food, including the Easter Weekend. But she didn’t expect yesterday when a record-breaking  67 people—187 individuals—came looking for food.

(The Cambridge Pantry food most sought today is Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Clam Chowder, case of 8, $14.43. See below)

She was overwhelmed. More than 21 favorite items were gone entirely: clam chowder, ravioli, coffee, ramen, prego sauce, diapers, wet wipes, flour, sugar, canned spaghetti, pineapple chunks, pancake syrup, parmesan cheese, and Kleenex.

They also registered seven new families on Wednesday.

(Joan, a volunteer at the food pantry for seven years.)

This list includes many of the most sought-after food items in the pantry.  Sarah was worried about how to re-order.

Adding to the pressure, the New York Legislature is considering a one-third cut in the funding that supports the backpack program. This morning, we had only 67 bags of food for the children for three days. The potential consequences of this funding cut are serious.

Then she texted me later: “After my crazy record-setting day, I came home and was overwhelmed with joy when I learned that all the Amazon list items ordered for the food pantry were delivered and waiting to be opened. It is such a game-changer. I thank the Army of Good! You guys are making all the difference!”

On to clam chowder! (See below.)

Yesterdays.Amazon food delivery. Army Of Good to the Rescue.

I went to help pack this week’s backpack orders; I loved this work. It’s not remote work but a very personal thing to put my hands on—the things that will help families have enough to eat over the weekend. I love knowing that the things I was packing were going right to the children who needed them, with no fees or special charges and no middle administrators.

The food I was packing would be eaten by a hungry child starting tonight and going through the weekend.

We are re-posting the entire   Cambridge Pantry Wish List to replenish some of the items. I asked Sarah this morning what item was most in demand today. She said the most sought-after food for the moment—they are out of is clam chowder. The list is updated every day.

The pantry’s food of the day is Campbell’s Chunky Soup, New England Clam Chowder, 16.3 Oz Can, Case of 8, $14.43.

Also new on the list today is Community Coffee, 12.0z, pack of 3, $12.oz pack of three.  All of the items on the Wish List are foods unavailable to the food pantry from their usual sources; it means a lot to the families to get them.

I can’t thank you all enough for supporting this pantry; more and more people in the area are struggling to pay for food. As Sarah said, you are making a huge difference.

Above, my volunteer task (along with others) is to prepare these “backpack” food packs for delivery to the central school today for the children of families who depend on the pantry for food.

 

Feature phot: Director Sarah Harrington ordering food at the Cambridge Food Pantry.