Again this year, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary received strong community support for our annual ‘February Food Drive’. According to Chris Davis, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary food drive organizer, “Our total donation was 1645 pounds of food to benefit ‘The Open Door – Ipswich Community Food Pantry’. We exceeded our expectations and increased this year’s donations by several hundred pounds.”
Julie LaFontaine, Open Door President and CEO, expressed it best. “With the cost-of-living outpacing many budgets, food drives like this one play a critical role in keeping our shelves stocked and our neighbors fed during the winter months. Our hats are off to Ipswich Rowley Rotary for demonstrating what ‘service above self’ looks like in action."
Davis added “Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians volunteer many hours each week delivering food for both ‘The Open Door – Ipswich’ and the ‘First Parish Newbury Food Pantry’. These are critical organizations requiring volunteers committed to addressing hunger that is often hidden in plain sight.”
Rotarian John Witzig noted that “Free hot meals are also provided at the ‘Ipswich Dinner Bell’, a weekly gathering at the Ipswich Masonic Hall. Rotarians, along with numerous other groups and churches, support and distribute these meals every week.” The ‘Dinner Bell’ provides 150 meals every week, with half of the guests dining together and the other half receiving home delivery. Rotarians assist with the weekly deliveries and serve quarterly at the Masonic Hall.
Pictured are Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians delivering collected food to The Open Door.