PEANUT BUTTER VALENTINES!

Please join Melrose High School students for the kick off Launch for this year’s drive at Shaws Supermarket February 8th, 2015 From 11-3 PM.

The people of Melrose are invited to give a special “Valentine” to their neighbors, by donating a jar of peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, or other currently dated dry/canned good to A Servant’s Heart food Pantry. This drive has been tremendously successful in the past years and we are brimming with excitement to get started again.

Throughout this entire month, drop off your donations in the beautifully decorated Valentine’s Day boxes located at: Melrose Public Library, City Hall, the Law Offices of Martino and Tramontozzi (616 Main Street), Melrose High School, Melrose Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield, the North Bank and Trust (Franklin St.) and The Council of Aging at the Milano Center, and Boston Tailored Cleaners (Tremont St).

Nine years ago, former Human Rights Commissioner member Katy Kennedy requested that people add peanut butter into their Valentine’s Day list. The response of Melrose residents willing to match the cost of a card to jar of peanut butter for a family in need, led to a new tradition. Melrose High School students and the Food Pantry now work together annually meeting the needs families throughout a month known for the expression of love and friendship. We are hoping that every family is satisfied by the end of the month having gained a large portion of donated goods from the Peanut Butter Valentines Food drive.

This year, at the Servants Heart Food Pantry, volunteers pack a total of 200 bags of groceries a month meeting the needs of approximately 130 families and individuals coming bi-monthly. There is much to give, and many more that need to receive this February. Peanut Butter offers an exceptional combination of high protein, a long shelf life, does not require refrigeration and does not require preparation. “Peanut Butter is “the most requested food item from food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens nationwide”

These events focus on Peanut Butter, but please consider donating any currently dated food shelf items, Jelly (strawberry or other), and fluff. Cereals, coffee and other canned goods are all welcomed by the pantry though the focus is on Peanut Butter, Jelly and Fluff this year. More information: Coordinator Maria Tramontozzi at 781-662-6175

  Photo #1:Got Boxes ready to roll! Victoria Crovo, Camryn Pfeiffer, Holly Bourque, Samantha Fazio, Coordinator: Maria Tramontozzi, Co-Chair: Alison Butts, Katie Addonizio, Yvane Ngassa; (Not Pictured)Bridget Bright, Kaitlyn Macinnes

Photo#2: Stocking Shelves with Last Year's donations: Alison Butts Co-Chair, Maria Tramontozzi , and Katie Addonizio