When a tractor-trailer backs up to the Middlesex Community College loading dock late this week, it will mark the real beginning of Bedford Rotary’s Hope for the Hungry 2025. Little more than a day later, the truckload it carries from Meals of Hope will be the centerpiece of meal assembly by dozens of volunteer meal-packers.
Dear Readers,
The Rotary Club of Bedford asks you to donate personal care items to be dropped off at its Hope for the Hungry meal-packing event on Saturday, April 26 at Middlesex Community College.
Collecting personal care items is as much a part of the fight against food insecurity as meal-packing. Many personal care items (see list below) are as much a necessity of everyday living as food, but much more expensive. Those who struggle with food insecurity also struggle financially, making it difficult to decide which to do without. Donated personal care items help bring hope to the hungry who must make those decisions. No donation is too small.
Tuesday, March 18th, 4:00 – 9:00 pm, Eat-In or Take-Out at Ken’s NY Deli & Pizzeria to support the Bedford Rotary Club’s annual Hope for the Hungry meal-packaging.A portion of your purchase will help buy the ingredients needed for six-meal-sized packages of fortified Mac ‘n Cheese distributed by local food pantries and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
At about $0.32 per meal, $2.00 pays for one six-meal package. The portion of what you pay for your Ken’s meal or take-out that goes to the fundraiser may easily pay for six meals for someone or a family struggling with food insecurity. If you can’t make it to Ken’s, but want to help, donations can be made here
How?
Sign Up to volunteer at Hope for the Hungry 2025, the Rotary Club of Bedford’s annual meal-packaging event to fight food insecurity on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:15 am – 12:00 pm, with Meals of Hope and co-hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Chelmsford and Merrimack Valley
The Hope for the Hungry 2025 event team quickly agreed on which meal-packing options from Meals of Hope they liked best. However, it took a bit of serious consideration and deliberation to finalize which meal we’d be packing on Saturday, April 26th.
Among the array of seven meal choices, Chicken-flavored Veggie Rice Soup, Pasta & Tomato Sauce, Lentils & Rice, Soy Chicken, Mac’n Cheese, Oatmeal, and even Beans & Rice, each had its pros and cons. Textures, ingredients, and spice flavoring were discussed, but only briefly. Ultimately, the one overriding decision factor was taste
The Rotary Club of Bedford invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to make a lasting impact by sponsoring Hope for the Hungry, our annual meal packaging event on April 26, 2025. This inspiring event brings together volunteers from across the community to package thousands of meals for local families in need.
By becoming a sponsor, you’re not only supporting a vital cause—you’re also gaining valuable exposure and demonstrating your commitment to corporate social responsibility. We have a number of different sponsorship levels available.
Download a brochure with details on sponsorship levels and benefits. We would be delighted to make a presentation to your organization to explain how this event can benefit your team. Feel free to email Bedford.Rotary@gmail.com for further information or if you have any questions.
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.
