
That’s what Bedford Rotarians were finding out at their Tuesday (1/14) meeting’s taste test of seven different meal options offered by Meals of Hope.
Why? Because planning is well underway for Hope for the Hungry 2025, this year’s annual Rotary Club of Bedford meal-packing project to combat food insecurity. Meals of Hope, the club’s backbone project partner, continues to help guide the effort and its local food-insecurity focus.
Jack Day, Vice President and Meals of Hope’s northeast leader, strategist, and meal-packing coordinator, accompanied by the club’s Hope for the Hungry team leader, Debi Malone, served up a mini smorgasbord of seven different meals to taste. Ultimately, one will be the winning selection for packaging at the Saturday, April 26th, meal-packing event.

By Bob Cassidy
Life was going fairly well for me in the late 1970s. I was now the Deputy Director of Public Works in Cambridge, Maryland. I was having a ball learning all I could about Rotary, and thinking about buying a home. Another saying I picked up in life is: "Enjoy what you have while you have it," because things can change in an instant. One Sunday evening, my life changed with two phone calls:
The first was a phone call from Bob Dodd, Director of Public Works (my boss), telling me he had terminal kidney disease. He said he had talked with the Commissioners about retiring early to enjoy what time he had left with his family "if" they would continue paying his health insurance. And they decided not to do that. He decided to continue as the Director and let nature take its course. We had a long and difficult conversation the following day. His advice to me was, "You're ready now, Bob, to lead your own department." "You're the guy I'm recommending to replace me, but I don't know when that will be."
The second was from my parents. Dad broke the news to me that my mom had terminal stomach cancer. I was their only child and I was 800 miles away.
Enough said.


Last Saturday, the Rotary Club of Bedford had a fantastic time at the Town Tree Lighting, where we partnered with MassBike to give away free safety lights for bikes! 💡✨
To make an even bigger impact, the Club supplemented the project with additional lights of our own, targeting not only cyclists but also pedestrians—and even their furry friends! 🐕🚶♀️🚴♂️
This was our 4th year giving out lights at the Tree Lighting!
Bedford, MA 01730
United States of America