By Patricia Roy

The cost of grocery staples has increased over the past year, with butter, eggs, dairy and proteins hitting record highs before retreating just a bit.

Along with the increases in fuel and utilities, it’s hitting families and people on fixed incomes right in the wallet.

Ashland High School students are attempting to mitigate the effects of rising prices and ensuing hunger by collecting donations for the Ashland Food Pantry through an organization called “A Simple Gesture: Ashland.”

Maggie Carter, a junior at AHS, is working to raise awareness of the project and to enroll more residents in supporting the effort to stock the pantry.

Each year two AHS students head up the resupply effort. This year, Mia Tel and Anika Tripathi, members of AHS class of 2024, assisted by parent lead Tracy Terry are in charge. The goal is to collect food and household necessities like shampoo and soap for distribution through the food pantry.

People are generally hyper-aware of the need for food pantry donations during the winter holidays, but the need is constant throughout the year.

Families who can donate are encouraged to pick up a grocery bag that can be filled with food to be picked up on five or six Saturdays throughout the year.  Volunteers will collect the bags on the assigned days and leave an empty bag for the next pick-up. 

The full bags are sorted and brought to the food pantry. Non-perishable food items are requested along with personal care items like soap, deodorant, shampoo and diapers, pet food and gift cards.

Interested residents can visit A Simple Gesture – Ashland.org for information on how to donate.

Residents are can volunteer as sorters and delivery drivers though the website.