Despite bitterly cold weather, the Upper Fellowship Hall at First Church was nearly full on January 28 as neighbors gathered for another successful Bedford Community Dinner. Volunteers from Middlesex Savings Bank prepared and served a hearty pasta meal, offering guests a choice of baked ziti or vegetable alfredo, accompanied by garlic bread—comforting fare that warmed both bodies and spirits.
Photo left: MSB volunteer serving beverages (photos by Christine Pinney)
Middlesex Community College (MCC) addresses student housing and food insecurity through its Wellness Resource Center offering two free food pantries (Bedford and Lowell campuses) with fresh, frozen, and non-perishable items. These services assist the 35–41% of students self- reporting food insecurity, providing crucial support to help students focus on academics.
Being able to meet a student’s basic needs such as food and housing often means the difference in a student’s ability to focus on their education, graduate and reach their goals. Jonathan Crockett is MCC’s Coordinator of Essential Needs and Community Resource, seeking to provide help to all of the college’s students who need it.
The Hope for the Hungry meal-packing event is returning on March 21, 2026, and this year we’re excited to put a special focus on something close to our hearts: engaging young people in hands-on service. We're also excited to have a special partner in St Paul's Episcopal Church for this event!
This year’s event is intentionally designed to be youth-focused, welcoming students, Girl Scouts and Scouts, Interactors, youth groups, and families with children. Our goal is to give young packers the opportunity not only to help package thousands of meals, but also to truly understand the impact they can have in addressing food insecurity in our community.
RYLA Opportunity for Bedford Sophomores
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (also known as RYLA) will be held from June 26-28, 2026 at Fitchburg State University with over 200 students from across Central Massachusetts. Each year, the Rotary Club of Bedford selects and sponsors a group of students with excellent potential for leadership and service for attendance.
The RYLA application is live at this link: https://tinyurl.com/Bedford-RYLA-2026
Join us for the next Bedford Community Dinner on Tuesday, January 28th, at 5:30 pm at First Church. This dinner is open to all—neighbors, friends, and families are all welcome!
We’re excited to share that this will be our first Community Dinner with a co-host and sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank. The MSB team will plan, cook, and serve the meal, and before dinner they’ll also offer a Fraud Prevention presentation with helpful tips to keep our community informed and safe. This session will equip you with the knowledge to protect yourself from scams and fraudulent activities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn valuable tips and ask questions. The presentation will held at 4:30pm in Upper Fellowship Hall.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is pleased to report progress on two active Rotary International Global Grant projects—one as an International Partner and one as a significant active partner. Both projects required more than two years of careful planning and approval, underscoring the value of patience and persistence in global service.
The Rainwater Catchment Tanks (RCTs) in Kenya project was approved in May 2025 and is now being implemented at 16 rural sites in western Kenya under the leadership of the Rotary Club of Maseno and Rotary Cadre Engineer Muyera.
The Tricycle Ambulances in Ghana project recently received RI approval in December 2025. The Rotaract Club of Accra–West Legon serves as the Host Club, with the Rotary Club of Wa supporting five local deployment sites, in strategic partnership with Moving Health to strengthen emergency medical transportation.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is proud to support these impactful global initiatives.
Our annual Winter Holiday Breakfast was a tremendous success, welcoming a large crowd of smiling children, families, and neighbors for a joyful morning full of holiday spirit. The room was buzzing with energy as families gathered to share a meal, connect with one another, and enjoy the warmth of a beloved community tradition. Seeing so many happy faces made it clear just how special this Rotary-led event continues to be for our town since its inception in 1986 as Breakfast with Santa.
One of the highlights of the morning was the wide variety of activities and entertainment that kept children (and adults!) smiling for hours. Families enjoyed the festive photo booth, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, and hands-on crafts—complete with plenty of glue and glitter. The Bedford Science Center delighted children with animal encounters, including little chicks, guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Kids were thrilled to meet Willow, the Lane School therapy dog, and the Davis and Lane School mascots joined in the fun. Attendees also had opportunities to learn about and celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, adding to the inclusive spirit of the event. Musical entertainment filled the room thanks to performances by the Bellachords, Superintendent Cliff Chuang, and others. Balloon animals and face painting rounded out the festivities, truly offering hours of entertainment for all.
Bedford, MA 01730
United States of America