With school back in session, the Cambridge Food Pantry is re-launching its BackPack program to supplement the diets of the 161 children who depend on the pantry for their food and whose parents have enrolled them in the program, which is partially funded by the State of New York. Sixty-one families have signed up.
(Above, Maria is a fierce packer.)
Every Thursday morning, a group of dedicated volunteers, including Maria, gather at the pantry to pack the bags for the BackPack program. Their commitment is truly inspiring. This morning,
I had the privilege of capturing their faces. Their faces say a lot, they tell the story; they all work tirelessly and speak from their hearts.
It’s important to me to get them recognition for their challenging work without complaint or failure.
Sue oversees the backpack program. It takes work.
The volunteers are among the nicest people I know, which makes sense. It is a joy to be associated with them. They do the Lord’s work, for sure, as does the Army of Good. Their faces are the faces of real Americans—we take care of our neighbors when they need help.
They work quietly and efficiently.
The items that went into the backpacks this morning were peanut butter, jelly, Oatmeal (two meals), Granola Bars, Juice, Fruit Cups, and Salty and Sweet snacks.
The 61 bags are ready to go to school. They are numbered but without names to protect the privacy of the students and their families.
Hi Jon:
I have been reading your work for years, beginning with your books, many of which I have read multiple times now. I took some time away from reading blogs but recently returned to yours, and I appreciate your writing more than ever.
This is wonderful work that you, Maria, and the other volunteers are doing, and thank you for sharing with us. I love making small contributions and have always felt much more at ease being part of the background, working quietly and knowing I’m making a difference.
Thank you Khanh