This week, I presented unexpected challenges to the Cambridge Pantry. The usual crowd size was surpassed, and the shelves, including the women’s shelf and the regional food pantry’s delivery, were left bare.

The women’s shelves – tampons, pads, etc. – were empty, and the regional food pantry’s delivery was surprisingly small. It’s clear that our backpack kids might need breakfast cereal, and even the most popular and easy-to-make dinners like Ramen were gone. This underscores the urgent need for your support and involvement.

Sarah Harrington doesn’t rattle easily, but I could tell by the look on her face that she was a war race.

Later, she texted me: “Your people are amazing,” and said, “Please thank them for  us.”

The pantry staff was worried about the Presidential election, as it understandably seemed to have taken up all the energy and attention in the country.

We understood that the public might be preoccupied with the Presidential election, potentially leading to distractions from other pressing issues.

We feared that the people who depend on us for food and other products would have nowhere to turn for some of the things they needed.

But the Army Of Good, true heroes, came through on every count.

The women have tampons and pads; the kids have healthy crackers, cereal, and many Ramen Noodles. People even send them lots of Tide Detergent.

The boxes came every single day. How lucky we are to have you.

Day after day, the Amazon truck pulled up—even on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Army of Good came through. Everyone who goes to the Pansion gets everything they need, a minor, maybe significant miracle.

I can’t thank you enough. I know you don’t seek or work for praise or recognition, but you deserve all those things. You got food and essential personal items in the pantry.

Just to let you know, you’ll stick with us for the long haul. “Your people are just amazing,” one volunteer opened those Amazon boxes.

Yep, Compassion lives right here on my blog and in those sacred packages. You brought a thousand smiles to people who don’t get to smile very often.

When people need help, you are there, and I am proud to be associated with you and grateful for all the good you have done.  The 10 Refugee children in college right now because of your donations, the elderly citizens who have shoes, socks, and art tools because of you, and the members of the Food Pantry are so grateful for what you do.

You define the very idea of good.