Latest News - July 2025

Dear Friends,


“All my life’s a circle, sunrise and sundown…” are words from a Harry Chapin song my kids learned at music camp years ago. As seasons change, the heat of summer rises, and flickering fireflies blink at night the words of “All My Life’s a Circle” echoes in my heart.


Every single week I encounter the kindness of humanity in guests, volunteers, staff, neighbors, and wider community. Our guests, our neighbors, are the reason we do what we do. About 1/3 of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. This includes seniors, single parents, families, individuals with disabilities, and friends. All SSKP food and fellowship are shared free of charge. When life feels upside-down, we work even harder to provide continuity of service at all 9 SSKP Community Meals, 5 SSKP Grocery Pantries, and through the SSKP Backpack Pantry.


We rely on the generosity of our community and generous host sites to carry out these vital programs. We couldn’t do this without you!


All my life is a circle. As a child I was taught the importance of donating to Food Pantries. When I was part of a young married couple with limited resources I experienced falling at the lowest end of the ALICE population. Today, living in this community I see firsthand how many neighbors rely on SSKP for food and fellowship. My circle, my community includes you!


I hope you can join me in in helping stock SSKP Pantries. I hope we will continue to share flickering lights of kindness. “All My Life is a Circle” and I remain on the lookout for fireflies, opportunities to reach out to neighbors, and ways I can help…one box of cereal at a time.


With gratitude and hope,

Amy


P.S. Please take a look at the job opportunity for a Program Director below, and share it with those you think would be a good fit.

Help Stock SSKP Pantries!

With anticipated decreases in donated food and increases in need we are launching an effort to increase local non-perishable donations. The challenge is to purchase at least one item to donate each time one visits a grocery store. Most needed items include cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, and canned vegetables. Non-perishable donations can be delivered to pantries or dropped off in specially marked bins at grocery stores. Every single item makes a difference!


Please help spread the word. Share this with your friends! For sharable “Join Me” graphics, cards, hand-outs, and coloring pages, click the link below.

Click here for "Join Me" flyers, graphics to share, and coloring pages.


Thank you!

Join Our Team

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries (SSKP) seeks to hire a full-time Program Director to complement our team. Our mission to share food and fellowship with neighbors is made possible by team efforts. The Director of Programming, in collaboration with program staff, is responsible for smooth functioning of day-to-day operations of all SSKP programs.


Click here for a full job description.


If you are interested, please submit cover letter and resume to SSKP Executive Director, Amy Hollis, at apply@shorelinesoupkitchens.org.

SSKP Weekend at Lenny & Joe's Carousel

On Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th come to Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant in Madison from 1pm - 7pm and ride the Carousel for SSKP. Lenny & Joe's will donate all the proceeds from their Magical Charity Carousel to SSKP from both days.


Celebrate summer with a carousel ride, while helping your neighbors!

Volunteer Gratitude Event

On Sunday, June 22nd over 160 SSKP volunteers, staff, Board, and supporters came together at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale Restaurant in Madison for a day of gratitude. Everyone enjoyed delicious food and ice cream generously donated by Lenny & Joe’s, and spent time catching up with friends and fellow volunteers from all of SSKP’s pantries and community meals. Many thanks to our friends at Lenny & Joe’s for making the celebration such a success. It was a beautiful day!

Chelsea Groton Foundation Supports SSKP

SSKP recently was granted $2,000 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation. These funds will purchase groceries such as fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and eggs for households who are experiencing food insecurity.


Since 2012, the Chelsea Groton Foundation has awarded SSKP with funding to accomplish our mission to provide food and fellowship. We are truly grateful for their generous support!

Please Support SSKP's Appeal


Spring has turned to summer, and our Spring Appeal is so close to reaching it's goal! Your support will make a real difference at this time of year when need remains high, but donations are lower. If you haven't supported the Spring Appeal yet, please make a gift today. Thank you!

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