We need some help at the Cambridge Panty. We are running out of food thanks to a cold wave. For the first time since I’ve been working with Sarah, she asked that  I post the entire Cambridge Pantry Amazon Food Wish List rather than two or three items. “We need all of it,” she said. “We are out of everything on the list. Everything thing you might see or purchase is urgently needed.”

So here it is for the first time: Sarah’s items are every item on the Wish List today and almost certainly tomorrow. Please help as you can and if you can.

I knew something was off; Sarah was disturbed. At a Food Pantry, there is no such thing as relaxing or seeing the work done. Everything can become trouble, from government regulations to politics to the weather and economy. Sarah never cracks or gets dramatic. She gets to work.

Sarah needs every one of these items in response to the brutal cold wave that hit the Cambridge Pantry Food Pantry for most of the week. The cold, below zero at times for several days this week, triggered an unexpected and unbudgeted rush on fuel oil for the already struggling customers of the food pantry. New families signed up at the weekly service today, and one new and desperate signup said her family only gets $23 per month in food stamps. Budgets and food stamps didn’t last long.

We were getting to celebrate the Army of Good’s stunning response (see photos)  to Sarah’s new Kitchen Utensil shelves program (more on that later, we haven’t forgotten) when she went to her list and found that, for the first time, every single one of the Wish List items but one was gone; the shelves were emptying.

I was away several and didn’t know about the pantry troubles, and she didn’t want to disturb me. She overcame that when she saw the wish list today.

When I returned from our vacation, Sarah messaged me, “Our needs increased suddenly and dramatically because people had to spend all their money on fuel.”

I understood. We usually can comfortably heat our small farmhouse with two wood stoves burning, but last week, we had to keep the furnace—usually only a backup—running all day for four days. It was still cold.” I can only imagine the fear and worry of the Cambridge Pantry families.

So here are the Wish List items that need support. You can access the Wish List any time, day or night, by clicking here or the green button at the bottom of every blog page.  I don’t expect anyone to purchase all these items, but follow your heart and judgment if something touches you while browsing the list.

Boyardee Spaghetti And Meatballs, $4.48.

Maruchan Ramen Chicken, Ramen Noodles, 24 Count, $6.56.

Martha White Corn Bread And Muffin Mix, Pack of 12, $13.96

Martha White, Pizza Crust, Pack of 6, $18.99.

Betty Crocker Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix, Pack of 9m $11,49.

Seattle’s Best Dark Roast Ground Cofee, Pack of 3, $15.32.

Better Crocker Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix (Pack of 9, $11.49.

Del Monte Fresh Cut Canned Beets, Canned Vegetables, Pack of 12, $12.72.

Tampon Tampons, Super Absorbency, Leakguard Skirt, Unscented, 40 Count, $12.72.

Stash Tea 6 Flavor The Earls Earl Grey Tea Assortment, 6 Boxes, 18-20 Bags Each, $19.99.

From the Army Of Good Today

Please take care of yourself also.