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The following was submitted by Volunteer Ventures MA:
In the wake of the chaos and uncertainty surrounding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Volunteer Ventures MA (VVMA), a Lexington-based nonprofit, hosted an emergency Soup Jar Making event on Nov. 9 at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester.
The social hall was abuzz with action as more than 90 volunteers from Winchester and other communities heeded the call to assist neighbors coping with food insecurity.
“I was overwhelmed by the community response – it was an awesome turnout on short notice, resulting in the production of 480 shelf-stable, nourishing, and tasty Soup Jars which will be distributed to local food pantries and other community-based partners,” said Barry Glass, VVMA founder and president. “I was inspired to see so many people step up so quickly to be sure our neighbors have access to food during this unprecedented assault on SNAP-dependent families.
Volunteers from Winchester and other communities joined in for an emergency Soup Jar event on Nov. 9. COURTESY PHOTOS/VOLUNTEER VENTURES MA
“It was especially heartening to see so many families with young children show up and step up,” he continued. “The kids – some as young as 5 years old – did a really great job putting the soup ingredients together with great concentration and care. We are totally grateful for an awesome community of volunteers and love to see young people building up strong ‘muscles of service.’”
In Massachusetts, over 1 million residents rely on SNAP benefits, with children making up 32% of recipients, seniors 26%, and people with disabilities 31% of recipients.
If you would like to sponsor a Soup Jar making event or support VVMA’s many other hands-on service programs, visit their website www.volunteerventuresma.org to learn more and get involved.
