With a Valentine’s Day theme of “Share the Love” with our neighbors in need, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary has announced its annual February food drive to benefit “The Open Door” food pantry. The Open Door’s Ipswich pantry serves citizens of Ipswich, Rowley and surrounding communities. According to club Community Service chair Chris Davis “the food pantry has seen continually increasing demand over the last year from local residents who are dealing with food insecurity and Rotary, as always, is eager to provide community support.”
This year, the club has organized 13 food collection sites in Ipswich and Rowley. Drop off locations in Ipswich include the Ipswich YMCA, Ipswich Town Hall, the Ipswich Public Library, The Institution for Savings offices in Depot Square and on County Road, BankGloucester, Brookline Bank, and Mark Warner Martial Arts.
Rowley drop off locations include North Shore 24 Fitness (formerly MAC) on Route 1, Rowley Town Hall, the Rowley Public Library, Three Sweet Peas Bakery Café, and Choice Graphics.
Davis identified some of the most needed food items including “canned tuna and chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups and stews, rice, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut and other nut butters, cereals, 100% juice and juice boxes, healthy snacks like granola bars, as well as cake, muffin, and pancake mixes. And please, no glass containers.”
The food drive will run from February 1 through February 28.
At last week's meeting, President Tom Murphy presented Executive Director (Gloucester Rotarian) Julie LaFontaine, center, and Director of Operations (Ipswich-Rowley Rotarian) Jen Perry with a $2000 donation. Julie commented that 'The Open Door is powered by the community to meet the needs we have.' This year alone, she has seen a 30% increase in the number of people seeking assistance. Jen added that 'The Open Door has been collecting food items at area markets including Shaw's in Ipswich and Market Basket in Rowley. Holiday baskets will be assembled and distributed next week.' 
Thank you, Nat, for your immense contributions to our club and community. Your imagination, kindness, and devotion to community made Ipswich a better place for us all. Those of us in Rotary were honored to serve with you!!! 
Kerrie Bates (right) is the legendary Director of ReCreation and Culture for the Town of Ipswich. Kerrie is a well-known innovator whose engaging events bring the community together and draw countless visitors from around the area. She and her team have made Ipswich a destination. During her long tenure, Kerrie has introduced and overseen notable cultural, musical and historical activities such as 'Ipswich Illumination', 'Voices from the Beach', 'Downtown Tuesdays', 'Ipswich is First ... Period', and '16 Elm Street, Within These Walls'. Nat Pulsifer nominated Kerrie, who was joined by her husband Daniel.
At a gala dinner last Saturday evening at the Ipswich Country Club, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary was one of seven area Rotary clubs that were honored with Massachusetts Senate Citations presented by State Senator Bruce Tarr. Senator Tarr noted the clubs were being recognized for their historic founding by local business leaders in 1923, and for their many years of community service and social support. As he put it, “700 years of community and international service are represented in this room”.
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Rowley, MA 01969
United States of America