Arts Abound held a raffle for the Open Door.
Tag: Open Door
Arts Abound donation to the Open Door
Starting the week off on a good note! We presented a check to the Open Door food pantry today with the proceeds from Great Egret photo raffle by Laurinda Butcher, Thank you to all who donated!
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GHS Boys⚽ GHS Girls⚽ soccer GAMES + SENIOR NIGHT + FOOD DRIVE November 13 #GloucesterMA
Mark your calendars, news from the soccer boosters:
GHS Boys Soccer and GHS Girls Soccer SENIOR NIGHT will take place on Friday, November 13 at the 4:00pm Varsity Game. A food drive for The Open Door has been scheduled for this date.
GHS Athletics Website | Follow GHS Fishermen Athletics on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram
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Annisquam Village Church
Members of the Annisquam Village Church volunteer to buy food, prepare and serve a Community Meal for clients of the Open Door several times a year. The serving of Community Meals in the dining room had been suspended due to the pandemic. Indeed, the meal that we prepared on March 11th was their last. Since then, the Open Door has been meeting the community’s needs for such a meal by means of take-out prepared meals (grab and go), and home delivery. Their main fundraiser for the year, the Empty Bowl Benefit, was cancelled. The Open Door needs to make up the shortfall somehow.
Our plan is send financial support equivalent to our expenses on food for the dates the AVC is committed to serve at the Open Door until was are able to volunteer once again.
In the meantime if you would like to donate directly the The Open Door click here: https://www.foodpantry.org/03_How_To_Help/donate.html
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Hold & Fast Local Business
Local Friends – If you need soap (or even if you don’t) and would like to help out the Open Door, Hold Fast Company has you covered. We are offering a special batch of soap with 100% of the proceeds going to the Open Door. Order online and we will arrange either curb side pick up or porch drop off. Limited quantity. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy!
https://www.holdfasthandcrafts.com/
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FRIENDS- THE OPEN DOOR NEEDS OUR HELP!
We don’t need to remind our readers what a truly amazing organization is the Open Door, and how they have fed, supported, and uplifted countless members of our community. The Open Door really needs our financial help. Nicole Duckworth shares that the food pantry is already serving more people. The Open Door has lost 40 percent of its revenue due to the Second Glance temporarily closing. And they cannot at this time take food donations because of corvid-19.
Please consider donating money to the Open Door. You can either write a check or click through to Network for Good:
Financial Contributions by Check:
If you would like to help us feed hungry families here on Cape Ann, please send a check, made payable to The Open Door:
The Open Door, 28 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
Donate here through Network for Good
NEW WAY TO PICK UP FOOD AT THE OPEN DOOR
Beginning Wednesday, March 18: We will move to curbside pick-up; clients are asked not to enter the building. Pull up to the front of our building on Emerson Ave., and a volunteer or staff member will bring you food prepacked for your household size.
If you work during this time, or are quarantined and unable to pick up groceries, please call 978-283-6776 or email gethelp@foodpantry.org.
This change will help to keep our staff and volunteers healthy and able to serve our clients. These measures are, of course, temporary during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, and we look forward to returning to our full-service, full-choice model as soon as it is safe to do so.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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FREE TAX AID FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 1-4PM
TaxAide Volunteer Kathy Carusone writes,
I am volunteering with AARP TaxAide and we opened a new service center at the Open Door on Emerson. We do taxes at no charge on Wednesday’s 1-4pm. There is no age limit or need to be a member of AARP or part of the Open Door Community. The service is free and the volunteer preparers are certified by the IRS. We’d like the community to be aware of the service.
Thanks,
Kathy Carusone
TaxAide voLunteer
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Decorate a Bowl at the Open Door
Come create with us! Make your reservation to decorate a bowl on Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to NOON at The Open Door!
Event is free. Children welcome. Reservations requested.
Decorate a Bowl at The Open Door
28 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
· Hosted by The Open Door
February 8, 2020 10:00 am
March 7, 2020 10:00 am
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TOGETHER WE CAN SET THE TABLE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES
My friend Nicole Duckworth is part of the Open Door’s Turkey Team, a group of individuals collectively raising funds for the Open Door’s Thanksgiving drive. Nicole has raised $250.00 towards her $500.00 goal. Please help Nicole help local families. Thirty dollars buys a family a turkey dinner, complete with all the fixings. You can donate by clicking here. Thank you!
Nicole writes:
“Join me making a real difference.
Even a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my fundraising goal for The Open Door — and we’ll be making the holidays so much brighter for our neighbors in need. Every $30 provides a basket, so whether you give $10 or $100, we’ll be helping local families set their holiday tables.
Thank you!”
There are more people than ever this year who need our community’s help with Thanksgiving. Working with all the Turkey Team members, the Open Door’s goal is to raise $10,000.00. Read more about how you can help here:
Help The Open Door Provide Holiday Meal Baskets
Start a fundraiser to provide families who struggle to make ends meet with all the fixings to prepare their own festive holiday meals
We’re asking a few of our key partners to rally their friends, family, and networks to help us provide Holiday Meal Baskets to families who struggle to make ends meet.
We invite you to help us collectively raise $10,000 for Holiday Meal Baskets this season. Set your own fundraising goal to help us get there. When you join The Open Door’s Turkey Team, you can help these families uphold their own family traditions by preparing their own home-cooked holiday dinners — and you’ll help your friends feel good about doing good!
Starting a meal-basket fundraiser is easy to do — and it’s fun. We’ll give you all the tools you’ll need. With your help, we’ll be able to make the holidays so much brighter for our neighbors in need.
Photo courtesy wikicommons media
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Stuff a Gloucester Cruiser Food Drive
Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 9 AM – 3 PM
Market Basket, 101 Gloucester Crossing Rd
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THE EMPTY BOWL TONIGHT!
THE 19th ANNUAL EMPTY BOWL EVENT IS TONIGHT AT CRUISEPORT.
This wonderful family event raises money to support the Open Door hunger relief programs.
Empty Bowl
4 to 8pm
Cruiseport
6 Rowes Square Gloucester
978-282-9700
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THE OPEN DOOR CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN BREAKFAST
The Open Door’s annual Autumn Breakfast, hosted by Cruiseport Gloucester, was especially beautiful and meaningful this year as it is the organization’s 40th year serving the Cape Ann community. The maxim of the Open Door is ‘feeding people and changing lives,’ and the heart rending testimonial given by guest speaker Colleen Moceri spoke to just that as she shared her story of how her life has been deeply affected by the assistance she has received from executive director Julie LaFontaine and her kind hearted staff.
Sheree Zizak received a huge round of applause and standing ovation for her tremendous generosity and was presented the Unsung Hero Award. The Helen Muise Community Service Awards were given to Jeffrey and Nancy McKeen, Janice Nolte, and Chris Pitman. The Charlotte Pope Award was presented to Ben Steele, and the Outstanding Partner Award was given to Addison Gilbert Hospital.
If you would like to make a donation to this most worthy of organizations visit the FOODPANTRY.org
The Open Door’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is Saturday, November 17th, from 9am to 3pm. Items most needed are peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, healthy snack items, 100 percent juice and juice boxes, breakfast cereal, hearty soups, and caned fruits and veggies. Your food donations will be collected at Stop and Shop Gloucester, Market Basket in Gloucester and Rowley, and Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue and in Ipswich.
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Martin Luther King Volunteering at Market Basket, Saturday January 13, 2018
We will be meeting at Market Basket starting at 9:00 a.m. and collecting until 3:00 p.m. The 3:30 p.m. shift will meet at The Open Door, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester to unload the truck. We will be handing out flyers to Market Basket patrons asking if they could spare a donation. I have assigned a shift captain to each time slot. They will be assigning tasks to volunteers, providing volunteers with flyers and buttons that identify us as democrats, I will also ask that they take a picture of their group and email it to me for Facebook and possible submission to our local newspapers. If you don’t want to be in the picture that’s fine.
Please dress for the weather, it looks to be 47 degrees (but falling fast) and raining. Please try to be on time for your shift as you are replacing someone else. Most importantly remember to have fun! We are fortunate to live in a great community of very generous people making this project a pleasure. Attached is the schedule please look for your name under a specified time slot and you will see the name of your shift captain. For those of you not on the schedule, you expressed an interest and I welcome you to join where you can. One last thing, at the end of this signature you will find my phone number, please take that number down and put it in your phone in case there is an issue.
Catch a Ton of Tuna
9:00am-11:00am
Shift Captain: Bernadette Merenda
Dave Marro
Donna Ardizzoni
Nicole Altieri
Jackson Altieri
Suzanne Newman
Florence Williams
Jane Marchurs
Rosie Sagall
11:00am-1:00pm
Shift Captain: Liz Murray
John Van Ness
Dylan Benson
Peg Leeco
Meredith Fine
Roz Smith
Joan Sweeney
Christy Park
Pat Doran
1:00pm-3:00pm
Shift Captain: Susan Only
Sean Recroft
John Recroft
Tom Denman
Mark Williamson
Ivan Williamson
Michael Wheeler
Candice Wheeler
Bernadette Merenda
GDCC Public Service Director
978-852-7165
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Volunteers Urgently Needed for This Weekend’s Day of Service to Benefit Open Door
Volunteers urgently needed for this weekend’s
Day of Service to benefit Open Door
Our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is fast approaching and we are calling on you to help us catch a ton of tuna for The Open Door Food Pantry.
On Saturday, Jan. 13, we will be at Market Basket at Gloucester Crossing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. handing out flyers to patrons and collecting food. Then, we will deliver our “catch” to The Open Door.
We need six people on each shift at Market Basket. The shifts that still need to be filled out are from 9 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are able to help at those times, please email Bernadette Merenda at vitablue@comcast.net or call 978-852-7165 to sign up for a shift.
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Stephanie Benenson HARBOR VOICES light show #GloucesterMA | immigration, conversation & acts of generosity manifest as public art
You can join in Stephanie Benenson’s fascinating big vision, Harbor Voices, a public art and cultural piece that’s made from light, sound and community participation. Part of the project is a large-scale and temporary LIVE light & sound installation which will happen on ten minute loops from 4-8pm on Friday December 8th, and Saturday December 9th, one of many featured events for the 2017 Middle Street Walk. Harbor Voices will be held inside the Kyrouz Auditorium in City Hall , 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA.
Come experience a sweeping ocean of sound, stories and light, drawn by the voices and acts of generosity of neighbors and friends.
Benenson, a Rockport native and North Shore based fine artist, received a prestigious and competitive RISD grant to create Harbor Voices. Benenson collected over 100 stories in eight languages of recent and ancestral immigration to Cape Ann. For the past year she led (and continues to lead) practical and creative storytelling sessions and workshops at area schools like Veteran’s Memorial and Gloucester High School, as well as community organizations and centers such as Sandy Bay Historical Society. Students talked with Benenson about “their ancestors* and families bringing cultural heritage to Cape Ann.” She said that kids mentioned “family members that started businesses here (like Jalapenos, Sclafanis, and other cultural destinations on Cape Ann)…and how meangingful that was to them…and people that they had deep respect and admiration for…” They discussed “family recipes, music, food and how immigration historically has made American art and culture come alive.” Mayor Romeo Theken was the first story collected. Other Cape Ann storytellers outside of the schools and non profit partners include: Jean Testaverde (Portuguese fishing ancestry), Ingrid Swan (Swedith quarrying ancestry), Heather Lovett (descendent of Roger Babson), Sal Zerilli (Awesome Gloucester and Rockport), Jan Bell, Buddy Woods, Susannah Natti (Finnish and descendent of Folly Cove designer), Rich Francis (GHS teacher), and Celestino Basille (GHS teacher).
Depending upon age and preference, stories were written, recorded, or drawn. All were mixed into materials and audio that will choreograph connections directly into the light installation, and an enlarging community. At first, Benenson thought the light might guide any audio. Instead voices continue to guide the light.
Every story and act of generosity is linked to the installation and transformed into light.
Blurring the lines between public art and social sculpture, LIVE happening and virtual action, Harbor Voices emblematically presents stories, shared connections and actions. Participants of all ages are encouraged to interact with the project www.harborvoices.com and its installation– to bathe so to speak in a community of vibrancy and waves of interconnectedness and support. Benenson adds that from 4-6PM during the two days of this installation iteration, “children will be offered a small flashlight to engage with this artwork, allowing them a tangible moment to consider their part in this interconnected network of community and local history by creating their own beam of light.” Also, before the installation opens to the public, one hundred Gloucester High School students –including some who have already added into the piece– will come to City Hall to experience Harbor Voices.
Benenson’s promotion for Harbor Voices launched in September. Leveraging attention for this remarkably ambitious project is an essential component as more involvement means more impact. Straight away it fostered community and brought opportunities. For example, Benenson spoke about the project and shared audio of the stories with Rose Baker seniors, Gloucester Rotary and the Cape Ann Museum’s Red Cottage Society. Someone from Beverly has already underwrittten support for a class at Veteran’s Memorial Elementary School. She spoke about the project with Joey as part of GMG podcast #253
As a third generation Cape Ann artist, Benenson is especially excited to “create art and conversations around our cultural heritage and our contributions to the vibrant mix of people that live on Cape Ann.”
See more pictures and read more about the artist
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LOCAL RADIO SHOW ANNOUNCES CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE OPEN DOOR ~ Sunday August 27th @ Mile Marker One
Unfinished Music Show’s Season 1 Guests to Perform
GLOUCESTER, JUNE 14, 2017 — Greg Verga, Host of Unfinished Music on MSO Radio
(MSONewSports.com) announced today a live concert to celebrate the first Anniversary of the
web based music program. All profits from ticket sales will benefit The Open Door
The show will take place 4-9 pm on Sunday, August 27 under the Milemarker One tent at 75
Essex Avenue in Gloucester. Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased in advance
the door the day of the show.
“We had 19 shows in our first year and we learned a lot about the local music scene and had a
great time doing it. This live concert was an idea we came up with to not only promote the show
but also give an opportunity for these talented artists to share their original music. More
importantly, it will benefit The Open Door and we all know how much they do for those in our
community,” said Verga.
The list of performers is a who’s who on the Cape Ann music scene. Confirmed so far:
John Jerome
Band Pier Ave
PrateekPoddar
Satch Kerans Band
Paul “Sasquatch” Cohan
Alto & Small
Black Sheep Stampede
Brian King
Dan King
Inge Berge
Stolen Lions
Julie LaFontaine, Executive Director at The Open Door added, “The Open Door’s mission is to
alleviate the impact of hunger in the community. This event will bring people together to support
a cause important to this community and help connect people to good food.”
About Unfinished Music
Unfinished Music is a web radio based interview program. Singer/songwriters and full bands
stop by to chat about their latest projects, play recorded music and perform live in-studio. The
Upcoming shows as well as links to past shows can be found at
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More scenes from Open Door Empty Bowl at Cruiseport
There was a constant line out the Cruiseport doors throughout this joyous and growing annual Open Door Empty Bowl Dinner.
Silent auction: For this trio of bowls, can you guess which is which by Senator Tarr, Representative Ferrante and Mayor Romeo -Theken?
Continue reading “More scenes from Open Door Empty Bowl at Cruiseport”
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Scenes from seArts 2017 Annual meeting at Gloucester Stage featured Bosoma dance company which may relocate to Cape Ann
Gloucester Stage new season opens May 19 2017. Heidi Dallin also revealed a Gloucester Stage world exclusive premiere announcement!
EX LOVERS, a festival of 10 minute plays is coming on April 28th!
Founding director Israel Horovitz asked 8 dramatists to contribute an original 10 minute play
Caroline Enos Don’t Tread On Us article about the WRITERS RESIST event coordinated by JoeAnn Hart at Rocky Neck Cultural Center
Artist opportunities:
seArts Art Loan @ Bass Rocks 2017
seArts Wearable Arts updates http://wearableart.org/
Cape Ann Plein Air II is scheduled Oct 8-16, 2017- artist applications are due by April 30, 2017
Marty Morgan Empty Bowl Open Door seeking volunteer artists to help guide painters
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Nichole’s Picks 12/31 +1/1
First of year, Happy New Year. May 2107 be all that you want it to be.
Pick #1: Rockport New Year’s Eve
SEE FULL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE AND BUY BUTTONS HERE
The mission of Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is to broaden and deepen the public’s appreciation for the performing, literary, and visual arts through innovative, diverse and high-quality programs that offer the community a shared cultural experience that is accessible and affordable. RNYE presents year-round programs that both support this mission and raise funds. RNYE is also supported by business sponsorships and individual donations.
RNYE’s most important event of the year, and the one for which the organization is named, is the celebration of the arts on New Year’s Eve. The evening is designed to be an impressive, “small seacoast town” version of First Night celebrations held throughout the country. New Year’s Eve in Rockport is a treasured tradition enjoyed by Cape Ann residents and visitors
Attendees purchase buttons online or at stores throughout Rockport and Gloucester in advance of New Year’s Eve, or at the event headquarters on New Year’s Eve. A button allows the bearer to attend any events that are scheduled throughout the evening. The following description gives a good perspective of the depth, breadth and cultural diversity of the entertainment.
The celebration begins at 6PM on New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve entertainment is scheduled on the hour, every hour, from 6PM to midnight, with 15 minute breaks in between each 45 minute session to allow attendees to walk from venue to venue and venue managers to reset for the next act. The entertainment options scheduled throughout the evening are culturally diverse and suitable for all ages. Musical acts may include folk, Celtic, blues, reggae, calypso, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk, soul, bagpipes, gospel, songs of the sea, 50’s and 60’s doo wop, country, western swing, African pop, New Orleans jazz, big band, and a cappella.. Other entertainment may include clowns, jugglers, puppeteers, story tellers, face painters, dancers, psychic readers, and telescope viewing with the astronomy club. Children of all ages participate in the drum jam and parade through the downtown streets, with a large dancing dragon and costumes. At midnight, attendees gather in Dock Square to watch the ball drop from the highest ladder of the town fire truck and sing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Pick #2: Noon Year’s Eve at Legoland
NOON YEAR’S EVE
Who says you have to wait until midnight to celebrate 2017?
Help us ring in the 2017 a few hours early with our first ever “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration! There will be special activities, prizes and giveaways, and a celebratory balloon drop, all included in the price of admission!
Pick #3: Rocky Neck Polar Plunge
Test your tolerance for icy cold water, have some belly laughs with friends, and (most importantly) help raise donations for the Open Door!
READ MORE ABOUT THE OPEN DOOR HERE
Once again, it’s that time to come and celebrate the New Year with our invigorating celebration. Please join us!! We ask everyone to bring non-perishables to help out those in need. The Open Door will have a van set up at the entrance of the beach !! We also collect cash or checks made out to The Open Door. If you haven’t joined us before, please do so and bring friends!!!!! We start this yearly tradition with a poem from George Sibley and then take our plunge !!
Sunday, January 1st at 9:00 a.m.
Rocky Neck. Stevens Way, Gloucester,MA
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
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OUTSTANDING OPEN DOOR AUTUMN BREAKFAST AT CRUISEPORT
Sarah Grow and Julie LaFontaine
State Senator Bruce Tarr, Amy-Beth Healey, and Mayor Romeo Theken
Amy-Beth, Michelle, Lara, Bea, and Meg
Thursday morning the Open Door Autumn Breakfast event kicked off the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive season. Cruiseport was packed with supporters, accolades and speeches given, and the free breakfast, delicious. David Sudbay, the Open Door’s President of the Board of Directors, gave the welcome speech. Julie LaFontaine, the organization’s Executive Director, spoke with the community about connecting, engaging, and advocating.
The Helen Muise Community Service Awards were presented to Donte Cone, Nancy Days, Lauren Johnson, Giselle Rein, and Susan Otis. The Unsung Heroes Award was given to Applied Materials Food Drive Team. Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Savings Bank were recognized as Outstanding Community Partners.
Amy-Beth Healey, the guest speaker, gave a poignant and heartrending speech, giving high praise and thanks for the steady assistance provided by the Open Door during her family’s time of need. One in six people in Gloucester requires food assistance. Amy-Beth’s life story spoke to the fact that so many amongst us are living pay check to pay check. Her story could easily become your story.
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If you’d like to help feed the hungry on Cape Ann, you can:
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Items most needed for the Thanksgiving Food Drive: Canned tuna, canned veggies and fruit, breakfast cereals, pasta, grains, 100 percent juice and juice boxes, peanut butter, and spaghetti sauce. Collecting food donations are Stop and Shop in Gloucester, Market Basket in Gloucester and Rowley, and Shaw’s in Ipswich and Eastern Avenue, Gloucester.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMEY7cWD0yA/
In case you missed the post earlier today, Julie and Mayor Sefatia announce the winner of the Market Basket shopping spree.
Good Morning Gloucester 