Last week, the demand for food support was so overwhelming that it completely depleted the Cambridge Food Pantry Wish List. In response, I proposed a holiday weekend service to replenish the shelves, prompting me to act swiftly.

Most of us are familiar with the items; they are the ordinary stuff of life, but not to the customers at the pantry. They miss them, as they are symbols of their struggle to feed their families.

(The above fifth graders at the Cambridge Central School are collecting backpacks with holiday food to distribute to the Cambridge  Food families.)

They are not fancy, gourmet items, just basic condiments and dinners. You can see them here; the links are also below.

If each of us committed to purchasing just one or two items daily, the shelves would fill up. These items are affordable, with several priced at just eight, two, or three dollars (one is $1). Whatever we can do will be an enormous gift to people in need.

Great results the first night; only nine items are left of the original 12.

They range from lemonade to canned chicken breast, spaghetti and meatballs, chunky soup clam chowder, Pasta Sauce, Italian Dressing, barbecue Sauce, Baby Wipes, and Eco-Friendly diapers.

Three or four items restored each day would do it. This is a holiday weekend, and many people are traveling or with their families; I understand it’s a lot to ask. I was planning to skip the food requests for the weekend, but Sarah’s message calling for help touched my heart.

No one will starve; the New York Food Bank will send food on Tuesday. This food is what the families want, need, and ask for.  And what was gone in the rush last week? They are the symbols of hope and better times.

The return of these items will be a massive boost for the families and their children. I’ll provide updates as they happen. As support flows in, Sarah will remove the items from the Wish List and upgrade it on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for what you do, and have a peaceful weekend. I intend to devote thoughts and prayers to the countless American heroes who gave their lives so people like me and you can be free.