Ashland Emergency Fund

Quietly providing hope to those in need.

Since 1987 the AEF has been Ashland’s behind-the-scenes, private place to which those in need have been able to turn for help.

Pantries get summer lift from Middlesex Savings Bank

Ashland Tab

Thursday, August 10, 2006

The Holliston Pantry Shelf and the Ashland Emergency Fund/Food Pantry each received $1,000 as two of 18 local food pantries recently funded by Middlesex Savings Bank to fight hunger in the MetroWest region. A total of $17,500 was distributed this summer to help ease the food pantries' seasonal food shortages by the program, which is now in its seventh year.

"Summer is historically the most difficult time of the year for hunger relief organizations," said Dana M. Neshe, senior vice president at Middlesex Savings Bank. "Kids on vacation are not getting subsidized meals at school so their families reach out for help at food pantries, which don't have the inventory because of the lack of summer food drives. We're glad to help fill the shortage and raise awareness that hunger doesn't go on vacation."

According to a hunger study commissioned earlier this year by America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, more than 25 million Americans go hungry each day, of which 12 million are the elderly and children. The study also revealed that hunger isn't just an urban problem; in fact, 42.6 percent of all clients served by the network reside in rural or suburban areas.

"On behalf of our member organizations, I'd like to thank the Middlesex Savings Bank for their commitment to supporting local food pantries in Metro West Massachusetts," remarked Catherine

D'Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, which distributes nearly 25 million pounds of food annually to more than 600 hunger-relief agencies in eastern Massachusetts. "The public tends to forget about the hungry among us until the holidays, so summer contributions like this are particularly important for the welfare of people in our communities."

Middlesex Savings Bank is one of the largest independent community banks in Massachusetts, with $3.3 billion in assets. Headquartered in Natick, the bank has actively partnered with community organizations in each of the towns in which it has a presence throughout its 171-year history.

You can Donate Now through The Network for Good or donations can also be sent directly to The Ashland Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721.

For more information on volunteering or donating, contact John Ellsworth at 508-881-3404 or Youth and Family Services Director Susan Gauvin at 508-881-0109 ext. 18.