January 7, 2026 Newsletter
DECEMBER UPDATE
We hope your holidays were relaxing and enjoyable. The New Year is the perfect time to reflect on what our all-volunteer pantry has accomplished helping our neighbors in need during 2025. Together, we have:
Filled 15,619 requests for food assistance, a 9% increase
Provided food for a total of 37,165 family members, a 7.4% increase
Picked and packed 65,608 bags of food
Called over 130 of our guests every week to assist them with their order
Delivered 9,614 orders to guests, a 29% increase.
We are grateful for the energy, camaraderie and can-do attitude that our all-volunteer team demonstrates 7 days a week, week-in and week-out, despite the discomforts of windy, rainy, hot or cold weather. Their teamwork and friendship make working at the pantry both fun and rewarding.
First Parish Newbury Food Pantry Receives Healthy Pantry Seal of Approval
The Greater Boston Food Bank awarded the Newbury Food Pantry their Healthy Pantry Seal of Approval! This seal recognizes the successful implementation of the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) nutritional labeling system.
The Newbury Food Pantry was one of 11 pantries chosen to participate in a research project jointly sponsored by the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and Mass General Hospital. The goal was to introduce nutritional labeling and identify best practices for encouraging food recipients to make healthier food choices.
The seal of approval was awarded after the successful conclusion of a 12-month implementation process which included color coding food items based on the amount of Saturated Fat, Sodium and Added Sugars each item contains. At 6 and 12 months, the Wellness Study Team did exit interviews of pantry guests who were picking up their food to evaluate how the color-coding system influenced them to make healthier food choices. GBFB is in the process of rolling out the SWAP program to other food pantries.
Pictured is pantry Director, Jane Merrow and Glen Holt who you will meet in the following Volunteer Spotlight.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Glen and Shirley Holt
Glen and Shirley Holt exemplify the dedication and teamwork that keep our pantry running strong.
One of their most memorable experiences was helping move the entire pantry—twice. Each time, nearly 50 volunteers showed up ready to work, and together they completed the move and had everything back in order in less than a day.
Shirley and Glen first got involved in 2016 after Shirley saw an article in the Daily News seeking volunteers. Shirley supports pantry operations during Friday morning shifts, helping prepare food for distribution, while Glen plays a key role in managing inventory, offsite storage, reporting, and maintenance.
What continues to surprise them most is what a friendly, dedicated group can accomplish when united by a shared mission.
Their advice to others: Volunteering may be the best few hours of your week—you’ll work with amazing people and leave knowing you helped someone in need.
FOOD DRIVES AND DONATIONS
Justin Brown (pictured with Jane Merrow), a St. John's Prep student coordinated a gift card drive to be split between the pantry and Lazareth House. We each received $3,500 in gift cards. We also received an equal amount from other sources to be distributed to our guests at Christmas.
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Newbury Police Chief Patricia Fisher and Deputy Police Chief Aaron Wojtkowski, pictured here with one of the many deliveries of food collected at the station. The lobby at the police station is open 24 hours/day to receive food drop-offs designated for the pantry. Once the lobby is full, all the donations are delivered to us.
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The Henry Bear's Park gift wrapping event over the Christmas holiday raised $1,679 for pantry. Our volunteer wrappers Caroline Monahan and Mandy Cromwell are pictured here.
The Wishbasket also at The Tannery, raised $402 during the holiday season through a self-service gift wrap option they provided in the space outside their store.
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During the month of November, several businesses on Plum Island participated in a month long food drive, followed by a December 4th fundraiser hosted by the Riptide Cafe & Bar. The Riptide generously donated a portion of their food proceeds, while other businesses, including the Plum Island Soap Company, The Cottage, Mad Martha’s Café, and Lucy’s Coffee and Bakery, donated goods that were raffled off that night. Collectively over $800 was raised for the food pantry! This will go a long way in helping our local communities.
Thank you, Plum Island!
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We experienced exceptional financial generosity from community members during the months of November and December. Over 350 donations were made to the Pantry during that time. We'd like to especially highlight the December donation of $10,000 from the Lighthouse Thrift Store. The Lighthouse Thrift Store on Bridge Rd in Salisbury, is a non-profit organization that donates proceeds from their operation to other non-profits. Donations of items that you make to them come back as cash to the Pantry and other local non-profits.
Many thanks to all our donors!
LORETTA FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, January 14, 2025 starting at 5PM
Our Loretta fundraiser continues… Wednesday, January 14, 2025. Starting at 5 pm, Loretta will donate part of the proceeds to the Pantry. Plan on dinner out (take out or eat in). You'll see a lot of familiar faces as the community turns out to support our work. We suggest that you make reservations in advance.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
As our work has expanded to help more neighbors in our community, our need for volunteers has increased. Volunteer opportunities include calling our guests to take their orders on Wednesday, staffing four shifts throughout the day on Friday to fulfill grocery orders for our guests, and assisting in the occasional Food Drive or other special projects on Saturdays.
Here is what our volunteers are saying:
"It’s a real pleasure to work in concert with such friendly, organized people. I loved the fast pace and the way the hours raced by."
"Such an awesome organization. So glad to be a part of this community effort."
"I really enjoy volunteering with you and everyone else at the pantry. It's such important work for the community and everyone is so welcoming and kind."
Come join us! Email Barbara at info@newburyfoodpantry.org to let her know you are interested.
FOOD DONATIONS
We accept food donations every Thursday from 9:30 am -1 pm. If you are not able to drop off at that time, please contact us at info@newburyfoodpantry.org or call 978-358-1077 to arrange another time. You can also drop off donations in the lobby of the Newbury Police Department 24 hours/day.
Our most requested items include Coffee, Tea, Flour, Sugar, Baking Mixes, Cereals, Pasta Sides, Jello and Pudding Mixes, Jelly, Canned Ham, Spam, Broths, Soups, and Toilet Paper.