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Sometimes less is more, and that is certainly true when it comes to end-of-year newsletters.
Using advanced techniques such as mathematical notation, leaving everything to the last minute, and generally making less effort, this 2025 Wrapped edition has 32% fewer words than last year. So even if you read every word AND watch the Wrapped Video (23 seconds shorter than last year!), you'll be back to traditional festive activities such as doomscrolling and fighting with your relatives before you know it.
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Opening the super pantry was a big risk. But together, we made it happen. In 2025, we created a welcoming, dignified space that is now a national showcase for what a modern food pantry can be.
Perhaps the biggest risk of all was that, with a completely new operating model and hundreds of new volunteers, we'd lose that special Daily Bread vibe (80% fun, 15% being too hot or cold, 5% secret ingredients). Looking at the photo below, there was no need to worry. The Daily Bread vibe is alive and well, perhaps even stronger than ever. That's down to you lot, pictured or not. You are all amazing!!
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A Year In Three Minutes
We've done "Wrapped" videos before, but this year we're trying something different. To encourage more of you to watch what is essentially a boring slideshow, we're virtually guaranteeing YOUR photo is featured in there. And as an extra incentive, we're burying the answer to the December 31 Breadle in there too. Why? So you can amaze your friends and relatives at New Year's Eve parties by getting the Breadle word in one. Or possibly two, if you don't want to arouse suspicions.
The more enterprising of you could even monetize this information by placing a little side bet with your so-called "clever one" sibling. Who will get the Breadle word in fewer tries? You will!
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If able, please set your device to 11.
This year, especially.
| | Don't have time to watch a three minute video? Already the cleverest person in your family? We've got you covered. Here are some key numbers, many of which we didn't just make up. | | Government Shuts Down: We Respond! | |
In November, the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history resulted in millions of Americans not receiving their SNAP (food stamp) benefits on time. And thousands of federal employees worked without pay.
In response, we added special appointments for SNAP recipients and government workers, and increased our Project Dash deliveries. Thank you to everyone who so quickly stepped up to staff the extra shifts and pack extra home delivery boxes.
| The shutdown, and especially the suspension of SNAP benefits, threw a spotlight on food insecurity, and for several weeks we received a flood of extra food donations. Cash donations increased too, giving us the confidence to step up our purchasing programs. Since then, the news cycle has moved on, as we knew it would. Donations have slowed down, and we are approaching a traditionally fallow period for food drives and the like. But the outpouring of support from the community during the crisis was very heartwarming, and we remain positioned well to respond to just about anything that 2026 can throw at us. | Our first Thanksgiving distribution at the super pantry - and our first drive-through distribution ever - was a huge success. Over two days, we made sure around 850 families could celebrate this most inclusive of holidays in style. In this great country, we have plenty of food. We just need to share it. That is what we do. | | | |
One year ago, Christmas Eve 2024 was a bit of a nightmare over at our old place. Guests lined up in a mini-snowstorm, a main water pipe burst at the almost-complete super pantry, and there was some trauma in the toy department. Christmas Eve 2025 could not have been more different. We were in a warm building, surrounded by happy guests choosing their own food in their own time.
In fact, just about the only thing that was the same was Santa, who once again took time out of his busiest day of the year to delight our guests, young and old alike.
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Our First Annual Potluck Party was the most talked-about event of the season. Think Met Ball but with better-looking people, and if Lady Gaga brought along a casserole. We were even surprised by a visit from State Senator Julie Kushner and State Representative Ken Gucker. At least, most of us were surprised - we're looking at you, Melba and Scott 😊. Julie and Ken even brought along a citation for partying too hard, among other achievements.
| | | The response to our Kids' Hats and Mitts Drive was amazing. We gave out hundreds of items, just in time for an early winter cold snap. Thank you to all who knitted, crocheted, or Amazoned a contribution, and especially to Sirely and Diane S. for making it happen. | | | | | |
