The generosity of the Bedford community highlighted the Rotary Club of Bedford’s “Election Collection” during voting Tuesday. Donations of an estimated $2,000 worth of personal care items were collected for the Middlesex Community College food pantries in Bedford and Lowell. It was the club’s third election-day collection in support of MCC.
Personal care items for a food pantry? Yes. Food insecurity and living insecurity are inseparable. Someone struggling to put food on the table for themselves or their family is undoubtedly also struggling to have the more expensive things of everyday living: shampoo, a toothbrush, laundry detergent, paper towels, deodorant, diapers, razors – personal care items taken for granted unless you can’t afford them.
Jonathan Crockett, Coordinator of Essential Needs and Community Resources for Middlesex Community College acknowledged the need, “On behalf of MCC, thank you all for your time, energy, and thoughtful participation in this Election Collection. These items are a tremendous benefit to our students who are struggling financially and we are so incredibly grateful to organizations like the Bedford Rotary Club, and individuals like each of you for organizing and participating in this collection.”
Rotary’s Election Collection effort was generously supported with collection materials from Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, and Wegmans, which also made a cash donation to purchase personal care items for the collection.
Our next collection will be at the Winter Community Breakfast on December 8th