By Terry Gould
May 2026
The Town of Otis is a small vital community. We care about each other and look out for one another. The time we live in is precarious at best and it is important that we continue to lift everyone in our community. As we move truly into spring with the warmth and extra light, it is so important to connect with our neighbors and friends. Summer families will return and new visitors will happen upon our little town. The Otis Food Pantry would like to take this time to shout out to our amazing contractors and businesses who continue to support us all and we hope you will support them in return.
Otis Ridge Ski Area and the Grouse House made wonderful end-of-season donations that made all our patrons smile. Extra snacks and treats, as well as fresh foods, were very welcome as the ski season came to an end and we all were wishing for spring.
The Knox Trail Inn prepared 40 Easter dinners, donated by patrons, prepared by the Knox staff and delivered by pantry volunteers. Feedback from our recipients was wonderful. Everyone loved having a classic Easter dinner. The Town of Otis is so much better for these amazing local businesses.
St. Mary's Church from New Hartford, Connecticut once again shared spring sacks containing a recipe and ingredients for a sweet treat that families could make together. We are so grateful for that summer family who brought us into this program.
We would also like to shout out to our local contractors and organizations who continually donate to our pantry. Don and Tracy have arrived with truckloads of non-perishable food that has kept our shelves stocked for weeks. Monetary donations and gift cards from private citizens, local contractors and organizations continue to support our pantry.
We are gearing up to move some pantry tables outside for the warmer weather. Our local farmers and gardeners have planted seedlings, and we hope to have the same kind of success with our harvest sharing as we did last year. In summer of 2025, our pantry families, community garden volunteers and local gardeners shared extra harvest every Wednesday morning, arriving between 8:30 and 9:00 to deliver fresh produce to share with our pantry. A most amazing success, where everyone shared the extra vegetables and greens they had with one another. We would like this to be an annual tradition and thank everyone who has been a part of this weekly harvest event.
The Otis Food Pantry regularly sees approximately 50 or more households which number over 100 individuals each week. Without the support of every member of our community and our generous businesses and organizations we could not continue. Non-perishable donations may be dropped off at the back door of Otis Town Hall anytime and placed in the big blue safe box. We check it every day. Monetary donations may be sent to the Otis Food Pantry, c/o M.K. Pinkham, PO Box 271, Otis, MA 01253. Follow us on Facebook at Otis Food Pantry. Our email is otisfoodpantry@gmail.com.
The Otis Food Pantry is grateful for your continued support. Enjoy spring and welcome to summer everyone.
