Help Us Help Others - Editorial
Throughout the years, we’ve written many stories about the amazing things the Bourne Friends Food Pantry does for the community. From community-wide events to weekly food pickups and holiday meals, the folks over at the Friends Food Pantry work hard all year round to care for their neighbors.
Just last month, our Bourne High School senior intern Reese Fitzpatrick wrote about how the Friends Food Pantry helps keep Bourne’s students and residents fed throughout the year. She pitched the story on food insecurity in Bourne to us with such assuredness. Reese knew exactly what she wanted to write about. And in turn, we knew exactly who to direct her to: the Friends Food Pantry.
The reason we write these stories is two-fold. First and foremost, the food pantry is consistently doing important work—the food pantry gave out a whopping 81,956 pounds of food last year, and has already beat that record for 2024. Its volunteers work tirelessly to care for their fellow Bourne residents, not just by providing food but also compassion for their neighbor. The Friends Food Pantry keeps bellies full, but it keeps hearts full, too.
The second reason we write these stories is to keep the food pantry top-of-mind in community as we raise money for the organization. This year is the 30th year of the Enterprise Community Fund drive, and now through December 31, a portion of each new subscription to the Enterprise will go toward supporting the Cape’s local food pantries. We are proud to be distributing these funds to the Friends Food Pantry in Bourne, along with the Food Pantry at the Falmouth Service Center, the Christ the King Food Pantry in Mashpee and the Sandwich Food Pantry.
Each year, the publisher sets a fundraising goal. It’s usually a pretty lofty goal. This year, our goal is $150,000. Four weeks into the fund drive, we’ve received $56,457.16 from a total of 171 donors. Compared to last year at this same time, we had collected $74,125 from 242 donors.
We have a long way to go. But we’re hopeful.
Thank you to all the generous donors who have so far given to the fund this year. Know that your gift is helping to fuel the many necessary services the center offers those in need.
For those who have not gotten around to writing that check yet, do it now. Help us reach our goal. Be a part of all the good that our local food pantries do. They couldn’t manage without the community’s support.