28 December

A Pantry In Trouble: Today’s Requests? The Whole Wish List. Sub-zero Cold Triggered Fuel Costs, Devoured Food Stamps, Eradicted Pantry Shelves, I Came Home Early. I Hope We Can Help.

by Jon Katz

We need some help at the Cambridge Panty. We are running out of food thanks to a cold wave. For the first time since I’ve been working with Sarah, she asked that  I post the entire Cambridge Pantry Amazon Food Wish List rather than two or three items. “We need all of it,” she said. “We are out of everything on the list. Everything thing you might see or purchase is urgently needed.”

So here it is for the first time: Sarah’s items are every item on the Wish List today and almost certainly tomorrow. Please help as you can and if you can.

I knew something was off; Sarah was disturbed. At a Food Pantry, there is no such thing as relaxing or seeing the work done. Everything can become trouble, from government regulations to politics to the weather and economy. Sarah never cracks or gets dramatic. She gets to work.

Sarah needs every one of these items in response to the brutal cold wave that hit the Cambridge Pantry Food Pantry for most of the week. The cold, below zero at times for several days this week, triggered an unexpected and unbudgeted rush on fuel oil for the already struggling customers of the food pantry. New families signed up at the weekly service today, and one new and desperate signup said her family only gets $23 per month in food stamps. Budgets and food stamps didn’t last long.

We were getting to celebrate the Army of Good’s stunning response (see photos)  to Sarah’s new Kitchen Utensil shelves program (more on that later, we haven’t forgotten) when she went to her list and found that, for the first time, every single one of the Wish List items but one was gone; the shelves were emptying.

I was away several and didn’t know about the pantry troubles, and she didn’t want to disturb me. She overcame that when she saw the wish list today.

When I returned from our vacation, Sarah messaged me, “Our needs increased suddenly and dramatically because people had to spend all their money on fuel.

I understood. We usually can comfortably heat our small farmhouse with two wood stoves burning, but last week, we had to keep the furnace—usually only a backup—running all day for four days. It was still cold.” I can only imagine the fear and worry of the Cambridge Pantry families.

So here are the Wish List items that need support. You can access the Wish List any time, day or night, by clicking here or the green button at the bottom of every blog page.  I don’t expect anyone to purchase all these items, but follow your heart and judgment if something touches you while browsing the list.

 

Boyardee Spaghetti And Meatballs, $4.48.

Maruchan Ramen Chicken, Ramen Noodles, 24 Count, $6.56.

Martha White Corn Bread And Muffin Mix, Pack of 12, $13.96

Martha White, Pizza Crust, Pack of 6, $18.99.

Betty Crocker Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix, Pack of 9m $11,49.

Seattle’s Best Dark Roast Ground Cofee, Pack of 3, $15.32.

Better Crocker Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix (Pack of 9, $11.49.

Del Monte Fresh Cut Canned Beets, Canned Vegetables, Pack of 12, $12.72.

Tampon Tampons, Super Absorbency, Leakguard Skirt, Unscented, 40 Count, $12.72.

Stash Tea 6 Flavor The Earls Earl Grey Tea Assortment, 6 Boxes, 18-20 Bags Each, $19.99.

 

From the Army Of Good Today

Please take care of yourself also.

22 December

Flower Art: Christmas Flowers, Christmas Colors (Sort Of), Carra Lilis, Paper Whites, Red Roses, A Christmas Dance

by Jon Katz

I’m catching up with work today; see you in the morning. We look forward to Christmas, including me, my farm, my wife, my partner, readers, dogs, cats, donkeys, etc. Got lots of good to do and so much to be grateful for.

Paper Whites are graceful and beautiful.

Lilies are opening up.

 

Callas always. Thanks to Georgia O’Keeffe for all she taught me.

Lilies and red roses

 

Callas

20 December

Flower Art: The Day Of The Red Rose, Love And Loss Linked Together

by Jon Katz

I’m ready for the weekend and feeling good about Christmas. Maria and I will be off to our favorite Vermont Inn the Day after the holiday, where we had our honeymoon. We’ll be gone for two days, and our quite excellent farm sitter takes care of the dogs, donkeys, sheep, house, and farm. She has her room, as usual. The dogs love her; I’m not sure they even notice we are gone.

She and Zip made friends in seconds. We’ll hang around this weekend, reading, talking, thinking, and resting. I’ll take my part-day Sabbath tomorrow, just a post or two and maybe a photo. Resting on Saturday has proven beautiful for me, and I’m plowing through my books like mad.

You will hear from me in the morning; not sure what happens the rest of the day. Have a sweet, peaceful, and meaningful weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 December

Italian Day: Help Sought From Sarah, Cambridge Food Pantry: Pasta Sides Alfredo Fettuccine, 6 Count, $7.38, Side Dish Cheddar Broccoli, Pack of 12, $15.30

by Jon Katz

Cheddar Broccoli Fusilli and Side Dish Alfredo Fettuccini are among the most popular Italian dishes among the Cambridge Family families. The children love them also. Please help to brighten the family’s morale during the holidays.

My friend Kyle above, a Pantry volunteer, is also brightening their morale by dressing up as Santa’s Helper for the families coming in today to get some food. These two issues are gone from the pantry shelves.  He makes a great elf. We hope to get these favorites back.

Knorr Pasta Sides For Delicious, Cheddar Broccoli Fusilli (Pack of 12) $15.30.

Knorr Pasta Side Dish 6 Count For Delicious Quick Pasta Side Dishes Alfredo Fettuccine No Artificial Flavors Or Preservatives, $7.68.

 

We are grateful for any help you can provide. These items are currently available at discounted rates on the Amazon Wish List Program.

You can access the Wish List any time, day or night, and browse and choose your items. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

These items are currently discounted on the Amazon Wish List Program. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

Bedlam Farm