Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

It’s always amazing to see the hearts and spirits of the Army of Good in action. This morning, Sarah reported that the pantry was entirely out of canned corn, her favorite vegetable.  She had ordered four cases from the state food bank, but none on the truck came yesterday. She cares very much about stocking her shelves well and the people who depend on what’s on them. She was upset.

Sarah cares. She was almost giving up on it,  but I figured out the numbers (very rare for me, with my Iphone calculator), and I knew we could do it and replace the 96 she didn’t get.

We did a lot better than that.  I hated to give up. It was right up our alley, and I love emergencies like that; we have to figure out who we are. They meant this when some monks in 1941 said people of good heart and faith needed to rescue love. Here we are again, and you are doing it.

The corn sold for $5.94, and the six-pack options were sold out. Amazon offered single canned corn sales for less than a dollar. As of 4:30, I got this message from Sarah:

“So great! The Army of Good made my day. I took off the link for six packs,” said Sarah. “You people are awesome!” This is true. Working with the people who would do that without a blink or complaint is a joy and gift.

People can still buy a single can for less than a dollar, and they will be used quickly. Don’t worry, they will be put to good use. But they have enough for right now. Even Sarah was happy, and she took the pantry very seriously.

I want to thank you for your wonderful spirit and generosity. I don’t have words, and that is a rare thing for me. You lift my heart, burnish my soul, inspire others, enhance community, and remind me what America is all about. This is what being human means. For the umpteenth time, thanks.

I’ll be at the pantry with my camera when the cans arrive. You deserve to see them. THANK YOU! You are a blessing to the world.

I have a plan. Sarah told me this morning that the food pantry is experiencing a Canned Corn Crisis. Corn is the pantry’s most popular vegetable, and the pantry has none.

“We are out of corn for the first time,” she said. Usually, we get it from the food bank. I had ordered four cases of 24 cans, but none arrived yesterday. It’s too bad. Corn is the most popular canned vegetable.”

It is too bad, but we can help. Sarah ordered 96 cans from the food bank.  I love challenges.

On Amazon, Canned Corn costs $5.34 for a Pack of 6. If the Army of Good (including me) purchased 16 Amazon Packs of Canned Corn (Pack of 6), we would have the 96 cans needed.

I’ll kick it off with five orders of Canned Corn. With my purchase, we would only need 11 six-packs of corn for $5.34 each.

It’s something we can try to do. The idea behind the Army of Good was asking large numbers of people to do small things together. This would be a good one to carry out the mission. No one gets hurt; lots of people get helped.

Sarah was upset about having no cans of corn, but I told her we were not into failing. We can at least try. Thanks. I know a lot is happening in the outside world, but the need to do good has rarely been higher.

(My research:  Canned Corn is a good source of fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain bowel regularity. It also contains vitamins such as vitamin C, B6, folate (vitamin B9), and minerals like potassium and magnesium.)

Sarah’s urgent request:

Amazon Fresh, Canned Whole Kernel Corn, No Salt Added, 15.5 Oz (Pack of 6), $5.34.

Canned corn is understandably the urgent item of the day.

Sarah also asked for help in getting more Diapers, six 3 and 6. We sent a huge load a few days ago, thanks, but these two sizes are still short.

Huggies Size 6 Diapers, Size 6, (35 plus lbs) Size 6, $9.94.

Baby Diapers Size 3 (18-28 lbs, 26 ct. Huggies, $9.94.

Thanks for sending these diapers; we need two more sizes.

The  Amazon Cambridge Pantry Urgent Wish List is accessible anytime, day or night.

Click on the links here or use the green button at the bottom of every blog post. Every item on the wish list is urgent and updated several times daily.  Some people are adopting favored items and sending them when they can. Thanks for the messages; the pantry volunteers greatly appreciate them, and many are poring through them in search of foods to “adopt.” Today, it might be Canned Corn.

Sarah’s new pet food shelf is very successful.