The winter months offer a chance to slow down and regroup. This year, it’s needed more than ever. The past few months have been filled with challenges from the delay in SNAP benefits in October to a heightened climate of fear and uncertainty for our immigrant neighbors.  Challenges persist and new ones emerge every day making it easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed.  

 In the face of this reality, I am grateful to be part of a community that decides not to give into those feelings and to, instead, take action; a community that decides to stand with and take care of each other; a community that understands how much this matters not only to those who need help today, but to our collective well-being.

 Your outpouring of support for A Place To Turn over the past few months is a testament to this mindset. When it became clear that SNAP benefit payments would be delayed, you showed up with over 65,000 pounds of food (the weight of 5 female elephants for perspective) and over 55,000 diapers. They came from drives held by businesses, schools, scout troops and community groups; companies purchasing pallets of food; and from individuals and families. You also donated money allowing us to ramp up operations and purchase enough fresh food to meet the growing demand.  You signed up to volunteer to sort and distribute all that extra food, so we didn’t have to turn anyone away.

 What I heard over and over again was a need to do something to make sure nobody in our community goes hungry. And what became clear is that when everyone does the “something” they can- however big or small, the impact is enormous.

 Restoration of SNAP benefits was a welcome relief for families, yet there are still many obstacles to overcome before everyone in our community truly has enough healthy food every day.  In the coming year, we are bringing the pantry to people in new ways through our Community Food Program. The core of this program is collaboration with community agencies and members because the task is too big to do alone.

 The past few months have shown what is possible when this community shows up for each other. I am confident that together, we will meet the challenges ahead.  So, take some time to rest and re-energize, but not too much time.  It’s going to take all of us to continue to build a community where nobody goes hungry and everyone is nourished.  I am looking forward to partnering with you in 2026.  

Rebecca Gallo