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Give 12 Days of Joy from Family to Family through Open Table

Sponsor a family or senior this holiday season by building a gift kit over the first 12 days of December. Each day that you add a new item, your family can discuss and learn more about food insecurity and how it may affect your neighbors. Follow us on social media or in your in-box to get information and reminders – or check back here!

This year we again invite you to create a holiday gift bag for either a local family and/or a senior who may be struggling this year. Past donors have said:

  • “Our family is excited to help out this year and we hope our participation will become a new holiday tradition.”
  • “This is a great way for people to contribute. Thank you for letting us help.”
  • “Thank you for the opportunity to share my good fortune.”
  • “Love this project – looking forward to it!”
  • “Thanks for this opportunity. It makes our Christmas a happier one.”
  • “Thank you! This is the most meaningful activity my family does during the holidays!” 

You will be provided with a list of suggested items to fill a gift bag. And we will send reminders and other information each of the first 12 days of December. Please leave all items unwrapped; this will allow us to more easily give the bag to an appropriate individual or family.

Gift bags will be collected in Maynard (33 Main Street) on Friday, December 15, 2-6pm and in Concord (40 Beharrell Street) on Saturday, December 16, 10am-1pm. Clients will receive gift bags with the final food distribution of 2023.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make the holidays more meaningful not only for the families who rely on Open Table, but for your family, too.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the coordinator, Carolyn, at ccoffin@opentable.org

or visit Open Table

New to town, new parents or just want some new experiences?

The good news is you’re in the right place…

Concord has numerous clubs and organizations that offers a wide variety of experiences and opportunities to meet people, get involved, learn new things, be active and intellectually stimulated!

 

New (or new in last few years) to Concord-Carlisle area? Consider signing up for Concord Carlisle Neighbors Club. Concord-Carlisle Neighbors is a social organization whose membership welcomes new families moving into these towns.  CCN provides social support and planned activities to help individuals and families adjust and feel part of life in their new environment. CCN also connects long term residents with each other to strengthen the community network. They host all sorts of events – something geared for every age.

 

Are you new to Concord with young kids or a new parent living in Concord? Concord Family Network is a non-profit, volunteer-run group of local parents, based in Concord, Massachusetts working to unite, inform, and engage local families with young children (birth-6 years).  CFN organizes many opportunities for member families to connect and have fun in a safe environment throughout the year from hosting casual parent and child events, meetups, and parties, to partnering with other location organizations and doing community outreach. 

 

Maybe you’re not new to town but interested in meeting new people or trying new things? Pursue your interests or learn something new!

Joining a local riding club is a great way to enjoy the best cycling the region has to offer.  Check out this riding club that is based here in Concord!

Concord Runners is an informal group of (men and women) runners and walkers, who meet every Saturday morning at 8:00am at Monument Square in downtown Concord, MA.  (map) The runs are typically 5-6 miles; the walks are generally 2-4 miles.

Pickleball – learn to play with other adults!

Love gardening or want to learn more? Look into Concord Garden Club and West Concord Green ThumbsHow about joining a community garden?

Concord Rotary Club

Concord Lions Club

Concord Council on Aging 

Do you know about Monday Contras: Dancing at the Scout House

The Thoreau Society

How about signing up to usher a show at The Umbrella?

Learn about book groups and discussions at Concord Library!

Take a class… so many to choose from in town – something for every interest and age:

Concord Art

Concord-Carlisle Adult Community Education

Concord Conservatory of Music

Concord Recreation

Umbrella Arts

Attend a speaker event or workshop:

 

Concord Museum

Concord Public Library

Walden Woods Project

Here are some organizations that offer activities & classes for kids:

 

Concord-Carlisle Youth Football

Concord-Carlisle Youth Soccer

Concord Youth Baseball / Softball

Concord Carlisle Youth Basketball

Concord Carlisle Youth Lacrosse

Concord Carlisle Youth Hockey

Concord Winter Futsal

Girl Scouts

Concord Public Library

Concord Recreation

Concord Youth Theater

Umbrella Arts

National Charity League

 

Volunteering is a great way to connect to the community and meet some people. Here is a list of local organizations to get you started:

Art for All

Community for Restorative Justice

Concord CAN (Climate Action Network)

Concord-Carlisle Community Chest

Concord Education Fund

Concord Family Network

Concord Land Conservation Trust

Concord Museum

Concord Players

Concord Prison Outreach

Concord Public Library

Cooperative Elder Services

Council on Aging

Dignity in Asylum

Emerson Hospital Auxiliary

Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Gaining Ground

Household Goods

Minute Man ARC

National Charity League 

OARS

Open Table 

Rotary Club of Concord

The Umbrella Arts

Town of Concord Board and Committees

Village Art Room

The Walden Woods Project

West Concord Green Thumbs

Youth Sports

Want to get the lay of the land? Or take houseguests on a tour?

Check out the terrific tours offered by The Concord Visitor Center and Concord Tour Company

 

Open Table’s 12 Days of Giving: Family to Family

Family-to-Family 2021

We are delighted announce the return of our Family-to-Family Holiday program. And we want to invite you to join Open Table this year in creating a gift kit for either a family or a senior or both! Once again, there will be a list of suggested items and reminders sent out for each of the first 12 days of December.

Gift bags will be collected in Maynard and Concord during the weekend of December 17 and 18 and given to our clients with their final food distribution of 2021. Please pack your 12 days of giving in either a sturdy paper grocery bag or a reusable grocery bag.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make the holidays more meaningful not only for the families who rely on Open Table, but for your family, too.

You can sign up to make a kit at opentable.org/family-to-family, or contact Carolyn at ccoffin@opentable.org.

2 wonderful ways to support a family in need

 

Open Table: Immediate Need for Donations & Volunteers for Afghan Evacuees

Open Table is looking for immediate donations – here is what is needed for Afghan families:

DONATIONS MAY BE LEFT IN BINS at 40 BEHARRELL STREET pantry in WEST CONCORD at any time.

apple cider vinegar

10 lb bag of basmati rice (medium or short grained only)

baking power

baking soda

packets of dry yeast

10 lb bags of unbleached all purpose flour

loose leaf green tea

loose leaf black tea

raw almonds

raw pistachios (in the shells)

honey

jams

beans: dry red beans, dry garbanzo beans (2 lb bags dry)

box of golden raisins – not small but 8 oz or larger

spices:  hot pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom, cardamom pods, poppy seeds

nigella seeds, black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds

4 pound bag of sugar

dishwashing soap

 

 

DONATIONS MAY BE LEFT IN BINS at 40 BEHARRELL STREET in WEST CONCORD at any time.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are looking for a volunteer to shop on Tuesday mornings to get the fresh food – will require driving to Needham  – Restaurant Depot and possibly the Indian market in Acton.  We will be supporting this effort for (2) months until all Afghan families are placed.  After the families will be connected to local food relief organizations and also to SNAP.  Open Table is also supporting many local families that have been settled here.

If you can help, please reach out to volunteer@opentable.org

Thank you!

 

 

 

Concord-Carlisle Food Resources

Volunteer & Support Opportunities @ Concord

Center for Parents and Teachers

Community for Restorative Justice

Concord CAN (Climate Action Network)

Concord-Carlisle Community Chest

Concord Education Fund

Concord Family Network

Concord Garden Club

Concord Land Conservation Trust

Concord Museum

Concord Players

Concord Prison Outreach

Concord Public Library

Cooperative Elder Services

Council on Aging

Dignity in Asylum

Emerson Hospital Auxiliary

Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Gaining Ground

Household Goods

Minute Man ARC

The Nature Connection

OARS

Open Table 

Rotary Club of Concord

The Umbrella Arts

Town of Concord Board and Committees

Village Art Room

The Walden Woods Project

West Concord Green Thumbs

Youth Sports

Open Table Family-to-Family Food Drive is a big success!

 

Open Table sent out update on the Family-to-Family Food Drive:

Holiday Drive a Huge Success

 

We all know the holidays can be difficult when money is tight, and this year even more so. People are out of work, families unable to gather. So our Family-to-Family Holiday project was particularly timely. More than 330 families and organizations filled holiday bags for guest families, putting cozy items like hats, gloves and plush throws with family fun night items and baking supplies, in addition to other groceries. Many items are things that don’t usually go in our grocery bags, but that make the holidays so much sweeter.

 

We never expected to get enough donor families to fill bags for every single household we serve, but you all came through, in a big way. Connecting donor families to guest families is a reminder to our guests that their community cares about them. And that’s an important message for them to hear anytime, and especially around the holidays.

 

The bags will be distributed over the next two weeks.

 

 

 

Open Table did a phenomenal job with this Family-to-Family Food Drive, using a creative list of 12 Days to Give. Over 330 families & organizations enjoyed gathering their items throughout the 12 day period then delivering to the Maynard and Crosby’s location earlier this week.

 

Here are some photos…

 

Feel Good Friday

It’s been a tough week, so many unknowns and so much bad news pouring in  – it’s difficult not to get overwhelmed by it.

So, we’d like to fill your head with some good highlights from the past week. Our community is strong and coming together to answer immediate needs, helping  each other and proving to be creative problem solvers.

Thank you to Emerson Hospital employees for your dedication & hard work. We are grateful to all of you!

Christine Schuster, President & Ceo of Emerson Hospital sent this today:

Our team is working around the clock to manage this unprecedented challenge. They are navigating this situation with careful planning and a relentless commitment to our community. 

Our Emerson Hospital Heroes – nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, environmental services, and all staff have stepped up in every way. They confront the COVID‑19 pandemic each day, worried about the future, the health of their patients, their families, and themselves.

In order to continue to fight this battle we need critical equipment and supplies. Your support has never been more important and will save lives!

Keep our Emerson Hospital Heroes and community safe. Your donation in any amount will help Emerson to:
• Acquire additional respiratory equipment
• Obtain medical-grade personal protective gear
• Outfit areas of our hospital to increase patient capacity
• Support our financial stability while elective procedures and treatments have been postponed in order to keep patients safe.

With your support, we can focus our energy on caring for our community. We will emerge from this crisis much stronger together.

Thank you for your support!

 

Thank you to the volunteers who answered the call for homemade masks and starting sewing! A number of Concord & Carlisle residents have been busy gathering supplies, cutting material and sewing masks for Emerson Hospital and other medical facilities in the area.

Thank you to Open Table and those who have donated time and food to make this an even more valuable resource in our community. They are continuing to accept donations at their bins at Crosby’s Market behind the 105 Everett Street building.

Thank you to the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest for working hard to rally support and donations for the W.I.N. Fund (When in Need Fund) with The Driveway Project.

Kate Eden Renyi Photography is launching #thedrivewayproject in hopes to raise local support within the Concord and Carlisle communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Donate a minimum of $50 to the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest’s WIN (When In Need) Fund – please designate The Driveway Project (WIN Fund) – that helps Concord and Carlisle individuals and families with unexpected or emergency expenses, and Kate will show up at your driveway and take a professional lifestyle photograph documenting this unique time. Thinking outside the box and social distancing attire encouraged!

Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Laurie  Hunter and staff / administration who have been excellent communicators and working hard to bring classrooms online, keeping our kids stimulated and connected while keeping parents well informed.

Thank you to our local merchants for finding creative ways to sell and deliver your goods / services!

Here is the Friday promotion that Farfalle Market, Copper Penny Flowers, Revolutionary Concord and Concord Teacakes offered for a Fun Family Friday. The package included pasta dinner and garlic bread from Farfalle, cupcakes form Concord Teacakes, a fun puzzle from Revolutionary Concord and a gorgeous arrangement from Copper Penny Flowers.

Be sure to see what other local merchants & restaurants / cafes are doing with take out options, curbside pickups and deliveries.

Thank you to ThinkGive for launching the Community Challenge – sign up now!

Thank you to The Center for Parents and Teachers for moving important speaker events online so we can call be informed and get access to these wonderful speakers.

Thanks for tuning in to LivingConcordour new weekly podcast, reading our newsletters, liking posts, following us on social media and sending us important information that we can share with the community.

 

Be well.

 

 

 

 

 

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