As we head into August we want to thank all of our supporters including both our summer visitors and year round folks. Whether you volunteered with us, made a financial donation, bought our supermarket gift cards, brought your empty plastic and aluminum empties to us, or donated food or clothing to us it is very much appreciated. This is truly a family pantry and without your support we would not be able to fulfill our mission of providing food and clothing to those in need.     Volunteer Appreciation Party in New Community Room - A Huge Success    On August 1st we celebrated the completion of our new space with 175 or so people. It was a great night and we were thrilled to have Representative Sarah Peake, Chairman of the Harwich Board of Selectmen, Linda Cebula, and Stephanie Cox from Representative Keating's office join us.    Director Pete Moynagh served many roles in this evening's celebration. Pete is the Chair of the Interior Reconfiguration committee and was recognized by Board President, Richard Waystack, along with present and former committee members: Claudia Crockett, Kathleen Magnusson, Kellie Marchant, Brian Michaelan, Don Milbier and George Morris for the outstanding job they did in transforming the pantry into an efficient operation.   Pete also prepared the fabulous appetizers that were served by Billy Martin,  our former Youth Director, Alison Smith and Gabrielle Crowell who work for Pete at Allen Harbor Yacht Club.   Last but not least, Pete honored founder and long-time Director, George Morris, by having him hang a plaque with our Mission Statement at the entrance to the pantry. Pete also told the story of asking George to take out the first nail in the deconstruction of the old pantry and then the night of the party he had George put in the last nail to hang the Mission statement at the pantry entrance. The reconfiguration project was huge for us and throughout the planning and construction George often reminded the Board they we should only do what helped us to fulfill the pantry's mission which is to provide food and clothing to those in need.   Volunteers of the Year were announced and for 2011 our winners are:   Pantry: Gene Kirk is one of our original volunteers and he is part of the Tuesday AM crew, serving as a greeter and problem solver. Gene also sells our gift cards both after Mass and annually at the Cape Cod Potters Soup Bowls for Hunger event. Gene also has driven the truck in many parades and over the years has always been the first to volunteer to help on special requests including general repair work and telephone installations!   Second Glance: Nasrin Karamouz is one of our most dedicated workers and has been a part of the Tuesday crew at the thrift store for the past three years. Nasrin is always willing to take on an extra task and has truly been an asset to the store and Manager Lorraine Cowhey.  RECONFIGURATION COMPLETE!   If you have not stopped by in awhile I can assure you that you will not recognize the place! We have expanded our food distribution and clothing areas which were too small and inefficient for both the clients and volunteers. We also expanded the boutique sorting area and provided better lighting so they can actually see what they are sorting! We have added a private room for interviewing new clients and processing applications for fuel assistance and food stamps which provides a more dignified and confidential experience for our clients. New features include a handicapped accessible bathroom and a community room for classes and to more efficiently run programs such as the gift certificates, and toy program as well as have meetings. The expanded office means we will no longer have 6 people trying to work at 4 desks on any given day!   We were very fortunate to have the services of Architect Mary-Ann Agresti of The Design Initiatve who was able to design the space to maximize our efficiency after reviewing surveys of many clients and volunteers.  Mary-Ann brought her passion for the pantry to the task and her professional time was a donation to the pantry. She knew what we needed better than we knew!   Rick Roy Construction built the new pantry and did an outstanding job in working it in phases so that we never had to close or adjust our open hours. Not only is their work impeccable but they are incredibly good communicators which is so important in a job of this magnitude.  Knowing that we are a non-profit organization and that we are always looking to save money Rick Roy Construction suggested several cost savings options which we readily adopted.   We also wish to thank Rick and Donna Morris of RPM Carpets who not only gave us great discounts on our original flooring needs but near the end of the project when we looked to add a little more carpet in the boutique sorting area they donated it to us.   Last but not least we are forever grateful to John Our and the entire Our family for their support over the years. The Our Family has been incredibly generous and during the construction project they provided some excavating support at a very generous discount.   Volunteers Openings We had a very positive response to our June Newsletter Volunteer postings.  The following are some spots that are still available:    1. Garden Volunteers - Thursdays and Saturdays through October We are currently harvesting squash and planting peas!     2. Second Glance Thrift Shop - Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays  We are seeking Team Leader for 3 hour shifts Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year.   3. Bottles and Cans - 7-10 Mondays and Tuesdays in the fall. Please contact Patty Watson for more information at 508-432-6519, pwatson@thefamilypantry.com.  Solar Ribbon Cutting     The Board would like to invite you to a ribbon cutting ceremony for our solar power installation on Wednesday August 22nd from 6-7PM.    We have had a solar installation placed on the roof of the pantry by MyGeneration Energy at no cost to the pantry! This was done via a 3rd party agreement with investors who receive the tax credits and we then buy our power from them at a 28% savings. The excess power is used to credit the electric needs at our thrift shop. In all this is a great savings for the pantry.   The ribbon cutting will be a brief ceremony with an opportunity to view the solar installation by riding a genie lift. Soft drinks and cookies will be served. This fun event takes place on Wednesday, August 22nd from 6-7PM at the pantry and I hope to see you there.       Sincerely,   Mary Anderson Executive Director The Family Pantry of Cape Cod  133 Queen Anne Road Harwich, MA 02645 508-432-6519 manderson@thefamilypantry.com

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