As the Ashland Food Project approaches its 13th anniversary, the Board wants to reach out to our donors and revisit the vision that first founded our grassroots, community-based organization. In 2009, the Ashland Food Project was founded for the purpose of collecting food to support the Ashland Emergency Food Bank, which directly assists those in our community who are food insecure. Another aspect of that vision was to build a strong community by bringing together neighbors in common purpose. The Ashland Food Project is all about neighbors helping neighbors.
The idea was a simple one: every week when you go to the store you purchase one extra item which you place in your green bag. After 8 weeks you have at least 8 items in your bag that you put on your porch to be collected and delivered to the Food Bank. So simple, and yet so powerful, for both the person who receives the food and the person who gives it. You are passing along food to someone in need from our community and modeling for our children the spirit of giving.
When the pandemic hit, the Ashland Food Project began soliciting cash donations to help during this difficult time. Now that the Food Bank can safely receive food from our donors again, we want to go back to filling green bags with food. We want to go back to our original vision.
Of course, we will always accept financial donations, but the patrons and staff at the Ashland Emergency Food Bank are so appreciative of the variety of food that AFP provides. The Food Bank spends most of its funds on staples while the food donated by AFP enriches the shopping experience of those in need.
Thank you for being part of this generous Ashland community that has committed to combatting hunger in this simple and intimate way. The Food Project started here in Ashland and, because of your efforts and its success, there are now 50 similar projects in the U.S. and one in Canada. You are, indeed, part of something very special.
May we continue to help those around us in need.
Your Ashland Food Project Board Members
