August 3, 2022 Breakfast Meeting Notes

The meeting was called to order by Braden. A Rotarian guest, Jim Marshall from Billerica, Mass was in attendance. He presented a check for $1000 to Steve Rand to be used in support of the United Way/Common Man Fund for Ukraine. The money was raised at their annual car wash fundraiser, which has raised over $40,000 over the years that it’s been held.

Jim Marshall of Billerica Rotary presents check for Ukraine Relief

The 50/50 was won by Ken Williamson, who donated the money to Ukraine relief. Ben Amsden won the chance to draw for the card game but did not find the ace of spades so the game continues next week.

Alicia presented today’s speaker, Marianna from Local Foods Plymouth. Local Foods was the country’s first online farmer’s market, dating back to 2005. The organization works with about 40 vendors, most from Grafton County, to provide fresh, locally-grown food and goods, thereby helping local farmers and residents. The market had been slowing down and there was talk of closing it before COVID, but the pandemic led to a resurgence in growth as people opted for curbside pickup. The orders are placed online and pickup is Thursday; they also offer free delivery within a 10 mile radius of Plymouth. An army of volunteers helps pack the food and load up the cars. They do participate in the SNAP program so that lower income residents can also partake of fresh locally grown produce.

Local foods also helps out in the community with their Farm to Community Food Sharing Program. People purchasing food can also make a donation on-line in the amount of their choice and at the end of the month, the proceeds are divided up amongst the participating organizations, which include the Senior Center, the Bridge House, and other local charities. This way the organizations can purchase the food they need, instead of receiving a donation that they may not be prepared to utilize.

The organization operates under the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Unit. They have been working out of a tent, which gets cold in the winter, but will soon announce a fundraiser so that they can move to the Bridgewater building. Part of the fundraiser will include an event on September 23, 2022 at the Solar Pavilion at the Common Man.

Steve then discussed tonight’s Fisher Cats vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels game that will fundraise for Ukraine. Volunteers are asked to show up at 4:30 to get a brief training from the Fisher Cats in how to sell the 50/50 raffle tickets to people as they enter the stadium. The doors will open at 5 pm and the game starts at 7 pm. There will be prizes awarded each inning, as well as a grand prize at the end of the game. We will also be selling separate tickets for the grand prize, which will include larger items such as hotel stays. Uncle Steve’s band will provide entertainment before the game. Invite your friends! Car pooling is encouraged and Alex offered to let us park at the Common

Man in Tilton.

Penny Sale: setup will be October 19 and the sale will take place on November 5 in the gym at Plymouth Regional High School. About 90% of chairperson positions are filled and Braden will send out more information to us at the end of the week. Since Gail is gone, we need to find a new contact with the Girl Scouts to have them entertain the kids. Ken Williamson asked for a brief explanation of what a penny sale is, and Braden explained that it is like a giant raffle. Bristol will be holding theirs on August 6 at 6:30 at Newfound Regional High School.

Respectfully submitted,

Lora Miller, secretary