Fighting Food Insecurity
To the editor:
I was delighted to see the write-up on the organizations fighting food insecurity on the Outer Cape in your Nov. 23 issue. But I was disappointed that the Truro Food Pantry was not among those described.
For many in Truro, not having enough to eat or not being able to afford foods to promote good health is a reality. The Truro Food Pantry at the Truro Council on Aging serves residents diverse in both age and cultural background. Every month an average of 70 households including over 300 adults, children, and seniors receive meat and fish, produce, eggs, milk, and canned and boxed goods. Shoppers can come once a week, and we try to fill special requests for low-sodium, no-sugar, and gluten-free items. The pantry also packs bags of food for homebound seniors every two weeks. They are delivered by the COA, which provides a regular opportunity for staff to check in on these seniors.
We provided a generous Thanksgiving meal to over 75 households for them to cook at home. Many families have received new winter jackets for adults and children. In December, pantry members from Provincetown, Wellfleet, and Truro who signed up can come to the Truro COA to pick up toys they have requested for their children of all ages. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be gratefully accepted on Monday, Dec. 11 at the COA.
The pantry is run by a wonderful group of volunteers from the community who help make it a warm and welcoming place for all. For more information or to make a donation of money or new, unopened foods, please contact me at 617-515-4342 or [email protected].
Barbara Bond
Truro
The writer is the manager of the Truro Food Pantry.
Reducing Roadkill
To the editor:
I read with interest William von Herff’s article “The Unseen Toll of Traffic on the Outer Cape’s Animals” [Nov. 16, page A7].
Roadkill is a significant problem for wildlife populations. You reported that Stephanie Ellis, the director of Wild Care, the wildlife rehabilitation center in Eastham, said that, on an individual level, the best mitigation measure is simply driving more slowly, especially at night when animals tend to be more active.
I completely agree. Many of the summer visitors barreling down our roads to get to the beaches are simply ignorant of the fact that we on the Outer Cape are living in or very close to a national park (the Cape Cod National Seashore) and that the flora and fauna are protected. I’ve often thought that a large official sign welcoming visitors to town should reflect the fact that 61 percent of the land in Wellfleet sits inside the park.
Visitors should be informed that they are entering a national park zone and should drive slowly and watch out for wildlife.
Marsha Rial Davis
Wellfleet and Venice, Fla.
The White Dory Fire
To the editor:
The quick response of Provincetown’s fire and police departments to the fire at the White Dory Condominium on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving, saved our building. They were assisted by first responders from other Lower and Outer Cape towns.
These professionals, along with other town officials and workers, could not have been more helpful, empathetic, courageous, and generous. They not only saved the White Dory but were willing to meet with us on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday weekend. We are grateful no person was hurt, and we are in awe of the level of support, care, and concern from the entire Provincetown community as we work to rebuild and return to our homes.
Rochelle Weichman
Provincetown
The writer is chair of the White Dory Board of Trustees.
