On Sunday into Monday, Cape Cod was hit hard by a powerful Nor’Easter, bringing heavy snow and fierce winds. Provincetown was especially impacted, with the electrical grid knocked out for three full days. The Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP) rarely closes due to weather, but without power, we simply could not operate. Reluctantly, we were closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

When power was restored Thursday morning, we immediately began planning how to reopen. Unfortunately, after days without refrigeration, all of our perishable food was no longer usable, and there was no way to secure a food delivery before Friday. We were facing a difficult situation. Then something remarkable happened.

Through our local partnership with the Truro Community Kitchen (TCK), we learned that World Central Kitchen (WCK) was on the Cape, ready to assist wherever needed. Within hours, WCK delivered 50 prepared meals along with bags of groceries, allowing SKIP volunteers to bring food directly to our homebound clients that very afternoon.

On Friday, again working through TCK, a hot and delicious lunch was delivered to SKIP’s dining room. Thanks to this incredible collaboration, we were able to serve well over 300 meals to a long line of weary, hungry — and deeply grateful — neighbors.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “It takes a village.” This week proved just how true that is. From the bottom of our hearts, SKIP thanks TCK and WCK for stepping in when our community needed it most. ❤️❤️❤️

This St. Patrick’s Day, The Soup Kitchen in Provincetown will serve up a bit of Irish cheer as Chef Gina presents a traditional holiday menu featuring corned beef and cabbage. With daylight saving time arriving on March 8, and the spring thaw underway after our recent Provincetown blizzard, the gathering will be a welcome reminder that brighter days are ahead. We look forward to celebrating community, good food, and the first hints of spring together on March 17 at 12:30. 🍀

This is the 5th year that The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) has conducted this statewide survey to better understand food insecurity and evaluate the role of state and federal nutrition assistance programs in Massachusetts. The 2025 report, The Cost of Hunger in Massachusetts, reveals that food insecurity remains a deep and growing crisis across the Commonwealth, with more than 1 in 3 households (nearly 2 million adults) experiencing food insecurity in the past year. Even more concerning, 24% of households are facing very low food security, meaning families are skipping meals or going entire days without eating. The report highlights the ripple effects of hunger, from increased health problems and higher medical costs (an estimated $1.3 billion in Medicaid expenses linked to food insecurity) to difficult trade-offs between food, housing, utilities, and medicine. While programs like SNAP, WIC, school meals, and the charitable food network are making a meaningful difference, the findings underscore the continued need for strong community partnerships and sustained investment. Here in Provincetown, this data reinforces why SKIP’s work providing reliable, nutritious meals and connection, remains as vital as ever. To read the full report, click here.

Governor Maura Healey has proposed an increase in funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), which supports more than 1,000 food pantries, meal programs, and shelters across the state. But recent federal USDA cuts along with passage of H.R.1, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could cause up to 160,000 Massachusetts residents to lose SNAP benefits, increasing reliance on local food pantries. State lawmakers are now developing the budget, and advocates are urging an increase to $58 million for MEFAP to help meet rising need.

At SKIP, we see how essential this funding is. As federal support declines, strong state investment is more important than ever.

If you are a Massachusetts resident, you can help! Email your state house representative today to help us secure the funding needed to feed hungry families!  It's easier than pie; just fill in your address and an email will automatically be generated to your state representative.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

https://www.gbfb.org/what-we-do/advocate/how-to-help/

At the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown, you never quite know who’s chopping carrots next to you, and that’s part of the magic. We sent a "just for fun" survey asking our volunteers if they were retired, still working, and what their career was (or still is). The survey revealed that SKIP is powered by people who have lived big, fascinating, accomplished lives. 

Nearly 80% of respondents are retired, bringing decades of professional expertise to our kitchen and delivery program. Former teachers, nurses, dentists, software engineers, bankers, attorneys, artists, nonprofit leaders, professors, and even film and television professionals now lend their time to chopping vegetables, packing meals, delivering groceries, and welcoming guests.

Some managed global payment systems. Some worked for members of Congress. Some ran construction companies, led healthcare organizations, or spent decades in social work. Others built careers in hospitality, retail, and real estate - some with roots right here in Provincetown’s own local businesses community.

And now? They peel and chop vegetables. They stock shelves. They bus tables. They deliver meals down Commercial and other narrow side streets (and occasionally get stuck in the snow!). They work on the serving line and greet guests by name.

A smaller percentage are still working and semi-retired as realtors, gallery assistants, environmental attorneys, hotel professionals, chefs, retail workers, and more — yet still carve out time to serve.

At SKIP, résumés don’t matter. Showing up does. Thanks to this remarkable collection of teachers, technologists, creatives, caregivers, and neighbors, our kitchen continues to be more than a place for a meal, it’s Provincetown at its very best. 

OUR VOLUNTEERS AT SKIP HAVE:

Run companies

Taught generations of students

Worked with Oscar winners

Managed global technology systems

Practiced medicine and law

Led nonprofits and public institutions 

Due to the historic blizzard that hit Provincetown on February 23–24, 2026, we’ll be celebrating our February birthdays this Friday, March 6! We’ll also honor the memory of our beloved volunteer, Chris Pula, with a special memorial birthday lunch. Cake will be served, and guests can enter a raffle for a chance to win one of two gift cards to wonderful local restaurants that keep our community thriving all winter long.

When: Friday March 6

How to Play: Get one raffle ticket when you first enter the line that day.

The Big Prize: Two winners will be drawn during lunch service. You must be present to win, and you must not have won in the past 12 months.

Supporting Local: This raffle is SKIP's way of supporting our guests and the wonderful local restaurants that serve us year-round!

We are saddened to share that SKIP delivery client Helen Valentine passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, at the age of 96.

A lifelong and devoted member of the Provincetown community, Helen poured her heart into preserving the town’s history, especially its fishing heritage. Through photographs, postcards, interviews, and written stories, she worked to ensure the voices of local fishermen would never be forgotten. Even into her 80s, she carefully cleaned and preserved gravestones throughout town, honoring those who came before her.

Helen also operated the beloved Valentine Guest House in the West End until she was 90, welcoming generations of visitors with warmth, stories, and fierce love for her town.

To her family, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose stories were treasures.

It was an honor to deliver meals to Helen and to be a small part of her remarkable 96 years. She will be deeply missed.

Kathleen Friedman, 72, passed away on February 2, 2026. A trailblazer in both education and technology, Kathleen was a proud member of the first class of undergraduate women to enroll at Dartmouth College in September 1972, marking the historic beginning of coeducation at the institution. Throughout her professional career, she was a pioneer in the early days of electronic commerce, helping build network-centric UPC databases that allowed thousands of vendors to electronically share product information with major retail partners such as Macy's and Walmart. She first worked with General Electric to develop the system and later continued this groundbreaking work with a joint venture between IBM and PRJ, helping shape the infrastructure that supports modern retail commerce today.

In Provincetown, Kathleen was a familiar and valued member of the community at The Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP). She regularly attended lunches and, in recent years, became a home delivery client, remaining connected to the program she appreciated so much. Kathleen will be remembered for her intelligence and the path she helped pave for women in higher education and in the technology field. 

Stop by and check out the SKIP booth at the Year-Rounder Festival on Saturday, March 14, Pi(e) Day! SKIP board members Mark Bjorstrom and Rachel Peters will be at our booth throughout the day, sharing information about our programs and ways to get involved. We hope you’ll come celebrate the spirit of the year-round community and connect with us!

SATURDAY. MARCH 14

HOURS: 10-3:30 & 5-7

Martha & Ron - 2025 Year-rounders Festival

The Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP) is looking for caring volunteers to join our Lunch Delivery Program. We provide healthy, nutritious lunches year-round to local residents who meet age and health requirements.

When We Deliver

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
• HOW volunteers cover Tuesdays
• We especially need drivers for Thursdays and Fridays

Each day, about 35 meals are delivered throughout Provincetown, including options for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and unrestricted diets.

Why Volunteer?

Our guests are deeply grateful for these meals and for the friendly faces that deliver them. Many of our drivers say it’s one of the most rewarding ways they give back to the community.

Whether someone needs meals long-term or is recovering from surgery or illness, your help makes a real difference.

Interested?

To learn more or sign up, please contact:

SKIP Office Administrator

📱 (508) 487-8331

📧 office@skipfood.org

Please remember SKIP in your year end tax donations. We’re so grateful for your support - you make everything we do possible!

This year, your donations will continue funding weekday lunches, weekend to-go meals, and year-round meal delivery for those with mobility or health challenges.

—HOMELESS PREVENTION COUNCIL. The Homeless Prevention Council has office hours in Provincetown from 10 - 2 Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday at the Provincetown United Methodist Church. For more information, please refer to their website. www.hpccapecod.org/provincetown-community-support

—CROP SWAP. Crop Swap is Ptown’s source for fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables and is open year round. Sponsored by the Ptown Health Department, the Ptown Public Library and SKIP, anyone may donate fresh fruits and vegetables, and all are welcome to take what they need. All fruits and vegetables are free. Please bring your own bag.

Crop Swap is located in the Ptown Library, 356 Commercial Street, to the left as you enter the front doors. Hours are:

Mondays & Fridays: 10-4:30

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: 10 - 7:30

Saturdays & Sundays: 1 - 4:30

There is a refrigerator for perishable items and shelves with bins for non-perishables, such as potatoes and squash. Announcements are made on the Provincetown Community Page on Facebook when new produce is added to Crop Swap. Please be sure to take advantage of this valuable resource. 

—FOOD GIFT CARDS. We also provide Stop & Shop gift cards for distribution by Helping Our Women (HOW) and a church largely serving the area’s Jamaican community. These organizations determine who’s qualified to receive them. 

—MEAL DELIVERY. On two days each week, we home-deliver nutritious meals to those with health, mobility and other qualifying issues. Contact the SKIP office, office@skipfood.org, to set up an interview to determine qualifications.

In addition, SKIP provides input and a link to The Lower Cape Food Access Guide updated in April 2025 by Outer Cape Community Solutions (OCCS). This comprehensive list details food resources available from Provincetown to Eastham, as well as other Cape-wide services. Check out the Resources page on our website, www.skipfood.org/resources, for a link to this guide, or pick up a copy in the SKIP office at 20 Shank Painter Road. 

GINA LARKIN, Executive Chef

JOHN STRUMWASSER, Office Coordinator

DIDIER CORALLO, Utility Person

SKIP Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 10-2/Phone: 508.487.8331

If you'd like to contact the editor, please email us at newsletter@skipfood.org.