Over these past weeks, many parents have developed a deep appreciation for the job that our teachers do each day. If you are looking for a way to express that appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week or after, here is a way to say thank you.

By donating to Newton Schools Foundation’s Honor Thy Teacher program in the name of one or more of your children’s teachers, you can show your appreciation for them AND support your children’s schools. NSF will notify each teacher honored of your gift and share their names with Principals and the Superintendent. A list of honored teachers will appear on the NSF website and in the Newton TAB.

Your tax-deductible donation will go towards funding NSF grants for promising educational initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in opportunity and achievement. In furtherance of those goals, in recent weeks NSF directed its resources toward the challenges of COVID-19 with a $85,500 grant for the Newton Public Schools to purchase 300 Chromebooks for students needing access to online learning during school closures.

It’s easy to donate online at http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/honor-thy-teacher or you can mail your donation to Newton Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 590020, Newton Centre, MA 02459. Please be sure to include the names of the teachers and/or staff that you are honoring.

To find out more about the programs NSF funds, visit their website at http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/programs-we-fund.

The Newton Food Pantry would like to extend a huge thank you to the community for the incredible support over the last 6 weeks. COVID-19 has brought about a challenging and uncertain time for many in our community but our hearts are full from your overwhelming love and support.

Because of your generosity, the Newton Food Pantry is able to continue its commitment to help those in need across Newton by offering:

• Curbside pickup twice a month to Newton residents (previously clients were able to shop once a month.) From March 18th through April 22nd, the Newton Food Pantry served a total of 978 households. Thirty percent of these households are new to the Newton Food Pantry since March 18th.
• Bulk grocery deliveries to seniors residing in 9 different Newton housing facilities to keep them safe and sheltered in place. From March 18th through April 22nd, over 40% of the total households served (411 households in all) were senior bulk grocery and home deliveries.
• Home delivery to clients who are homebound because of disability or severe medical conditions.
• Optimum safety and efficiency for both clients and volunteers with use of 3 new PODS located outside City Hall.
• Canned and dried goods for the city’s Food for Families Backpack program.
• The Newton Food Pantry is distributing more than 8,500 pounds of food per week. In addition to distributing a dry goods bag, a produce bag and a refrigerated goods bag, the Newton Food Pantry clients are also receiving personal care items and cleaning agents.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Aside from donating double-bagged grocery bags and egg cartons (please drop off at 61 Ballard Street or 36 Metacomet Road ONLY), please consider a financial donation at www.newtonfoodpantry.org/donate/

Check out this little jingle https://bit.ly/NFP-DBS) just to show you how serious they are about double-bagging.

Newton South High School’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club feels tremendous gratitude to the countless healthcare workers who put their own lives on the line to help those afflicted with COVID-19. With that in mind, they have decided to mount a campaign to help our local hospitals battle this pandemic.

There are two ways people can help:

First, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is asking for iPads so hospitalized patients can talk to their loved ones at home. If you can donate any old but functioning iPads, it can help reduce the social isolation for hospitalized patients. A club member can do a contact-free curbside pick-up if you live in the Greater Boston Area. All the patients and the hospital will undoubtedly appreciate it!

Here is the link to donate an iPad: https://forms.gle/uNiNPnzKYFphKM4h8

Second, if you do not have an old iPad but would still like to join in this fight against COVID-19, they’ve also started a GoFundMe page to help the Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center through their fights against COVID-19. Every dollar donated will go towards saving the life of a doctor, nurse, friend or neighbor. Even though we are all apart, we are all in this together!

Here is the link to donate money to the Go Fund Me: http://gf.me/u/xycbfz

Please consider donating to the iPad and fund campaigns so NSHS HOSA can help these wonderful local hospitals during this devastating COVID-19 crisis.