Faculty Support Local Food Project

Groton faculty members are participating in the Groton Neighborhood Food Project, which supports the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in nearby Devens, Massachusetts.

 

Director of Community Engagement Rob O'Rourke invited faculty to contribute food to the project, and fourteen signed up within a day—a group still growing. Participants are asked to buy an extra item or two each time they shop, although any size donation—in food or funds—is appreciated. Donated bags of these groceries will be collected every other month.

 

"The main focus is for small groups to work collaboratively to make donating to the pantry a routine practice," said Mr. O'Rourke. The Groton Neighborhood Food Project's website makes clear that food insecurity is not someone else's problem; it affects many residents of the Town of Groton. According to the site: "Many of our neighbors simply can’t afford to buy enough food—even when they’re working. Feeding America reports that at least 1/3 of all American families who get help with food have one or more people working."

 

Mr. O'Rourke said that, as pandemic protocols allow, students involved in Groton Community Engagement will help in collecting the food from outside of faculty homes.