Acton Food Pantry

Dear Conant families,

We want to share with you an idea for service that your family could participate in together over the summer. Of course this is totally optional and there is absolutely no pressure to join. Before explaining the event you should know a little about the amazing service the Pantry provides to our community.

Last year the Pantry distributed over 300,000 pounds of food to residents of Acton and its contiguous towns - Boxborough, Concord, Carlisle, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford. The Acton Food Pantry has seen a 20-30% increase in first time clients this spring and their reach has broadened beyond our local community. Since March the Pantry has been operating with a drive-thru model. In April they served an average of 293 households per week and distributed an astonishing 61,000 pounds of food! This year the weekend backpack program was expanded in four Acton/Boxborough elementary schools and a food closet was set up at the High School. This spring Pantry’s primary fundraiser, The Chef’s Challenge was cancelled.

In January The Acton Food Pantry was accepted as a food partner by Three Squares New England, an amazing organization founded to help alleviate food insecurity. They were scheduled to participate for the first time in The Ride For Food, a charity bike ride. Over the past nine years this event has raised over $2.6 million for food partners! Then the pandemic hit and everything changed.

This year’s ride is now The Ride for Food, Off the Beaten Path. We are replacing the traditional Ride for Food one-day event with flexible options. You and your family can complete one of the activities wherever and whenever you like. You can bike, walk, run, swim, hike, or kayak, almost any event you wish inside or out! You go at your pace and choose the day, route, and distance that fits your schedule. You can do it alone or include your family (children under 14 are not official participants). The fundraising minimum of $350 has been removed (although we ask that you set a goal realistic for yourself). The registration fee has been reduced from $75 to $25 so the event is accessible to everyone. If we meet our team goal of $7500 then The Acton Food Pantry receives 100% of the money raised!

This is a great way to teach your children about empathy, giving back, and community service. You can design your fundraising page together and have your kids help write your story. Your kids will learn how it feels to exercise for a cause. You can take photos of the event and post them to your fundraising page. The activity and fundraising can be completed anytime between now and October 4, 2020. What an amazing summer activity for your family!

You can sign up to participate by clicking here.
-Click the “Register” button
-Choose “Join a Team”
-Pick the Acton Food Pantry Team
-Complete the registration process
- If you would rather donate directly to the Acton Food Pantry Team, click here.

Every dollar raised supports the services that the Acton Food Pantry provides to clients and families. This year has been tough and any amount you give goes a long way. Thanks so much for your support... and please don't forget to send this page to any friends/neighbors you think might be interested in participating or donating!

~The Conant Community Service Team