Sarah Harrington, the director of the Cambridge Food Pantry, texted me at 5:35 p.m. Monday with this message: “The Army of Good total donation for April,” she wrote, “was 3,828 lbs of food and products.” I asked her if that was good—I’m new to this—and the answer came back quickly:”That is almost 800 lbs over last month! It’s a crazy amount.“

It’s a beautiful amount, and there are no words to thank you all enough. The Army of Good is not just a dream but a reality. You always come through.

I’ve never had the privilege to meet most of you; the Army of Good is a powerful army scattered all over the country, gathering to do good rather than arguing about what good is. I wish you could see and hear the gratitude from the Pantry volunteers and the 144 families that came to the pantry one day a week ago and another 173 backpack children.

I hope this news fills your hearts with as much joy as it does mine and, more importantly, the hearts of the struggling families who are desperate to feed their loved ones. Your actions are a beacon of hope, especially during these tense times. We started the Army of Good because we wanted to do good rather than fear or hate one another. It worked. People are eager to do good when given the chance.

(above the food back packs for children, we are stuffing the bags to the hilt.)

 

This is the correct political statement—we are showing the world our hearts and what they can mean for others. This is the America I know and love, the biggest-hearted country on earth. Here, we are all coming together, all kinds of people with all sorts of ideas and opinions, but we share one thing. We are here to show our love and care for one another in need.

I need to say how much I admire Sarah Harrington. She invited me to advocate for the pantry and has given me the encouragement and freedom to be myself. She gets me, and she gets you. I appreciate that. I’m going to the pantry tomorrow when the weekly food truck arrives.

I’ll have my camera.   I’m learning a lot, but I want to learn more about how a food pantry works. This is the triumph not of money or power or politics but of something much deeper: love and compassion.

I will keep this going for as long as possible, and I hope you can join me for as long as possible. Much love and gratitude to you; I almost grabbed some tissues.

Oh yes, don’t forget today’s need food: Maruchan Ramen Pork Flavor Noodles, pack of 24, $9.36. We can feed many families and their children with those noodles for $9.36. Bless all of you.