This letter of thanks goes out to all the generous people who contributed money and/or non-perishable food to our 18th annual Shepherd’s Pantry holiday fundraiser. With a monthly expenditure of over $7,000.00 used to purchase food that is either running low or out completely, monetary donations are necessary to keep the pantry running smoothly. Blanche Pepin, the pantry’s administrator, and all of the hard working and dedicated volunteers, handed out thousands of food items during this past year. And with the pandemic that ravaged our world this past year, we continued to hand out much needed food every week as safely as we could, each Saturday between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m.
“We’ve been impressed and gratified by how many contributions made to the pantry were from an extremely generous group of first-time donors,” said Ms. Pepin. “In these unprecedented times, so many have stepped up to help the less fortunate.”
A BIG thank you for this years success goes to the much needed and appreciated newspaper articles from The Standard-Times and the Fairhaven Neighborhood News. Also, a BIG thank you to some of the area’s businesses, churches, schools and non-profit groups and organizations that have donated their time and money towards our yearly venture. I’d also like to acknowledge the donors who have visited our web site, shepherdspantry.org, and felt inspired to help our cause.
Another big contributor this year was thanks to the The Greater New Bedford Track Club and Union Running from Fairhaven for their hard work of promoting and running our annual Turkey Trot road race. However, this annual Thanksgiving event went virtually this year because of covid19.
Also, I need to thank Skip’s Marine Inc., who donate their time and much needed truck to transport the food that is delivered to the pantry throughout the year. A big thank you goes to the Raymond Canastra family who donated over 200 turkeys and the Hawthorn Medical workers who donated over 100 turkeys that were handed out the week before Thanksgiving. Thanks to the Long Plain United Methodist Church, located at 1215 Main St. Acushnet, for housing the Shepherd’s Pantry. Without this church, we would not have a home. Also, thanks to the Fairhaven Stop & Shop bakery department for handing out day old bread and pastries each Friday that are ultimately handed out on Saturday mornings at the pantry.
And finally, the food bins located at the Stop & Shop Supermarket, located in Fairhaven and the area’s 7 Churches, where generous people have dropped off thousands of pounds of non-perishable food this past year, will continue. If you have any questions about the pantry or need help, please call 508-763-9289.
Gerry Payette, Holiday fund raiser coordinator and Executive Director
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