Food Drive Helps Communities to Thrive

State employees donated nearly 400 lbs of food for the Greater Boston Food Bank last week. To our amazement, donations continued to come in after the drive ended. We would like to thank all those who so generously gave to this cause. Their efforts are deeply appreciated. A thank you also goes to the Bureau of State Office Buildings in the State House and the John W. McCormack Building at One Ashburton Place, who provided their time and assistance.

Food Drive this Week

One in eight Americans does not have enough to eat and must rely on a shelter, food pantry, or soup kitchen. Congressman James P. McGovern (D - Worcester) has pledged "to end hunger in Massachusetts". As the Greater Boston Food Bank states, "everyone has a role in ending hunger." All proceeds from the drive will assist GBFB in its work.

Besides the foods posted last week, these are also desired.
canned beef stew
dried beans
whole grain crackers
shelf-stable fruit cups
nuts
dried and canned fruit

Donations may be dropped off in the State Library (Rooms 341 and 442 in the State House). In the John McCormack Building (One Ashburton Pl.), the locations are the lobby, the cafeteria on the lower level, and the office of the Bureau of State Office Buildings in Room 107 on the first floor.

The food drive is hosted by the Friends of the State Library in observance of National Library Week. To learn more about the Friends, go to mass.gov/lib.

Food Drive Begins Next Week

The theme of National Library Week, April 11 - 17, is a fitting one for the Friends' food drive. "Communities Thrive@your library" reflects the role the State Library plays in contributing to bettering the lives of those in the Commonwealth. Among its offerings is a growing collection of electronic Massachusetts state agency documents

Donations will assist the Greater Boston Food Bank in its work. These are some examples of foods desired by hunger-relief organizations.
Canned tuna, chicken, or other meats
Canned soups or chili
Plastic bottles or cans of 100% fruit juice
Pasta, rice, or other grains
Healthy cereal
Dry or boxed shelf-stable milk
Canned beans
Peanut butter
Canned vegetables

Donations may be dropped off in the State Library (Rooms 341 and 442 in the State House). In the John McCormack Building (One Ashburton Place), the locations are the cafeteria on the lower level and the office of the Superintendent of Buildings in Room 107 on the first floor.

Food Drive

The Friends of the State Library will be hosting a food drive April 12 - 16 in observance of National Library Week to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This organization donates more than 31 million pounds of food and groceries annually to nearly 600 hunger-relief agencies in eastern Massachusetts to end hunger. More than 394,000 people were served last year, an increase of 23% since 2005. With the economic downturn, the Greater Boston Food Bank is reaching out even more to acquire food for distribution to food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. Canned and shelf-stable foods can be dropped off in Rooms 341 or 442 of the Library located in the State House.