FPC 2025-2026 Plate Sharing Nominations
Boston Area Gleaners
Ellen Kisslinger
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting a more equitable, just, and sustainable food system. BAG began 21 years ago as a volunteer effort focused on “gleaning"—harvesting surplus crops that would otherwise go to waste-- and distributing this surplus to those without access to healthy food as a way to address food insecurity. They now deliver fresh produce to a network of local food pantries, shelters, and meal programs. Since their purchase of Stonefield Farm in Acton July 2021, they have also developed the Food Hub-- a wholesale market that provides income opportunities for local farmers. BAG’s vision is to sustain a permanent agricultural supply chain that will improve the viability of local farms and the health of communities in the Boston area who have historically suffered from inequity in the food system. Federal funding cuts are sharply impacting farmers and the many families who rely on food banks and pantries to ease food insecurity.
My involvement with Boston Gleaners
I have volunteered regularly with the Boston Area Gleaners for 7 years. This includes harvesting, and sorting during the season, and packing boxes for food pantries in the off season to enable food distribution to continue year round to provide hunger relief. This year, we are also working with the wholesale produce market in Chelsey to reduce food waste at the whole sale level. We “rescue” what is not perfect for grocery stores and repack it to deliver to our food pantry partners. This eases hunger as well as keeps unusable produce out of the trash as BAG composts it onsite. Volunteering with Boston Gleaners ties in with my commitment to access to healthy food and the sustainability of local farms as a social justice issue.
How I would educate the congregation about the project
The outreach coordinator at BAG has been very helpful in providing information for the Chronicle, the Order of Service, and a short video presentation for the congregation. She would continue to work with me on this. In past years, I have done an info table at coffee hour and would do this again. BAG has offered to do a special “glean” for FPC or an info session at the farm. I would continue to try to recruit for this. In addition, I frequently act as an informal ambassador in my conversations with FPCers about current projects and developments at BAG. The scale at which BAG handles food is hard to envision without seeing the hundreds of boxes packed on pallets to be delivered to pantries and food banks each week. I am committed to BAG’s mission and enjoy sharing it. My hope is to get more folks involved.
Opportunities for congregational engagement
Volunteers ages 13 and up are welcome. Stonefield Farm is nearby, close to the Acton commuter rail station. It offers many opportunities both for field harvesting and to pack and repack boxes for food pantries. High school students can fulfill community service hours by volunteering. Volunteers register online at the BAG website (bostonareagleaners.org), and then receive alerts about upcoming “gleaning trips” each week. People can volunteer when it fits their schedule. Each glean (volunteer session) is three hours max. The staff is very organized and mindful of adhering to the schedule.
Bridges to Malawi
Annadelia Ruminski
Bridges to Malawi is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of the people of Malawi through multiple service projects including: an annual Medical Mission Trip, agricultural projects, projects to deliver electricity to remote areas, projects to increase the number of livestock, and many more.
My Involvement with Bridges to Malawi
I was one of the high school students given the opportunity to travel to Malawi with Dr. Lisse and multiple other doctors on the annual medical mission trip.
Ideas for Congregational Involvement
I joined Dr. Lisse at the Saturday breakfast series and would also like to share at a service next year why Bridges to Malawi is so essential. I would also like to provide an opportunity for members to donate some of the supplies Bridges to Malawi collects to bring with their group in April 2026.
Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ)
Hector Constantzos
Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) partners with law enforcement, district attorneys, and community members to offer restorative justice, an alternative response to crime that promotes healing, accountability, and equity, to address the harm caused by crime and conflict. Unlike the traditional criminal justice system, which centers around punishment, restorative justice aims to repair harm by addressing the needs of those most affected, including victims, the responsible parties, and the broader community. By bringing participants together in a restorative circle process, we create spaces for open and honest dialogue and meaningful repair that lead to stronger, more connected, and resilient communities.
Your involvement with C4RJ
Supporting the Stow Chief of Police and his efforts to keep this program going in the Town of Stow
Ideas for how you will educate & involve the congregation in C4RJ work
From Danielle Kennedy, C4RJ's Dev and Comm Coordinator:
FPC members interested in serving as volunteers are invited to participate in an upcoming training for new volunteers. Our next training will be held Fall 2025. C4RJ volunteers commit to joining a team for at least a year. Many have been with us for much longer - a few since our inception! In addition to time spent in circles, the teams generally meet once a month for an hour or two to review new policies, debrief a tough case, or brush up on skills. For those interested in taking on more responsibility and a greater time commitment, there is advanced training for more specialized roles.
It all starts with interest, an application, an interview, and an introductory training. The qualities we look for in a volunteer candidate include commitment (including availability), listening skills, patience, skill in asking open-ended questions (or a willingness to learn how), thoughtfulness, being non-judgmental but firm when necessary, and care for the well-being of a community.
Concord Prison Outreach
June McKnight and Johanna Pyle
Since its formation in 1968, it has grown into the largest organization of its kind in Massachusetts, serving the prison population in 8 facilities in this part of the state.
CPO offers programs in the following categories:
- Vocational Skills
- Socio-Emotional
- Arts and Humanities
- Families and Children
They also offer opportunities for people on the outside to participate in, including assembling Holiday Gift Bags, which we did in Fellowship Hall last year for the first time!
Our Role
We are both active volunteers with CPO, and are currently doing eight week Restorative Justice reading classes, and “Read to Me Dad”, a 3-4 week program which culminates in fathers being filmed reading to their children. We are also both members of the CPO Advisory Council.
FPC Involvement
In order for CPO to continue offering the programs they do, and hopefully expand their mission, funding is crucial. We hope you will consider them for a plate sharing month.
FPC Supporting Asylum Seekers
Ann Wickham
The mission of the Supporting Asylum Seekers Task Force is to help those who are in need who are seeking asylum or refuge, and who hope to build their lives locally. This past year we have used contributions from FPC well. Activities included providing transportation, obtaining legal assistance, teaching resume writing and job searching, providing driving lessons, teaching English, providing cultural orientation, conducting clothing drives, participating in political action, and providing both living arrangement and food assistance. We directly supported seven families from the countries of Afghanistan, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Uganda, and Venezuela. The Supporting Asylum Seekers Task Force is an active part of FPC’s Social Justice work. We greatly appreciate the Congregation’s ongoing support and plate sharing!
Your Role
Member
Ideas for how you will educate and involve the congregation in the work
We would like to have a table at coffee hour during the month that we are selected and have one of the asylum seekers we are supporting speak during an FPC service about their experience working with the task force.
International Institute of New England (IINE)
Roy Miller
For over 3 years FPC has been in partnership with seven area churches to help resettle refugees. The International Institute of New England has been the primary contact for families that we at FPC have helped to get a start in the USA. We have had had success with two Afghan families who have now gained full independence here in the USA. We have recently been assisting a large extended family from Rohingya (Burma), who had been living in exile in Bangladesh for years, and now are living in Lowell. The Rohingyas are well on their way now as we reduce our support to them.
The situation at IINE is now much different with few people coming into our country. In fact, the opportunity of another IPRR family is not certain. But IINE continues to provide valuable assistance for those now in the USA. This support to IINE will fill great needs (legal help, job support, language studies) even if it is not applied to a specific IPRR family.
My Role
I have been working as a volunteer at IINE for almost 4 years, since the US left Afghanistan. I work with the IINE Employment Team every Tuesday by interviewing refugees about their job skills and experience. I then construct resumes, at home, to be used in their job searches. I also do prep work with the refugees in advance of job interviews.
I will inform the congregation via eMail updates and photos much as was done in the past.
Native Plant Trust
Sharon Brownfield
As the U.S.' first plant conservation organization, they conserve and promote New England's native plants to ensure healthy biologically diverse landscapes. Native Plant Trust (NativePlantTrust.org) is the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants. We operate Garden in the Woods in E. MA; Nasami Farm nursery in W. MA; and six sanctuaries.
My Role
We have used Native Plant Trust to start our pollinator bed and the memorial garden committee has used native plant trust plants for the garden. Previous members have volunteered in their Garden in the Woods giving tours and working in the gift shop.
FPC Involvement
A table at coffee hour, paragraph in the order of service, and a chronicle article in the month of plate sharing. Focus on the volunteer opportunities and the benefits.
OUT MetroWest
Kim & Karen Kinnear
"OUT MetroWest is a nonprofit that offers nearly 20 FREE social and supportive programs each month for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults from elementary through age 29. Our youth center is in downtown Framingham, and we have satellite programs in several towns across MetroWest, including Acton. Connection is at the heart of our program model. At every program, LGBTQ+ youth connect with LGBTQ+ peers and several LGBTQ+ adults as positive role models, including access to an LGBTQ+ therapist at all of our regular programs. Our programs are a mix of fun and educational, providing youth with an LGBTQ-centered space and resources that most do not have access to anywhere else. Our model is built on connection as we know that this is the SINGLE MOST important protective factor against negative mental and behavioral health outcomes, for which LGBTQ+ youth--trans youth in particular--are at a much higher risk than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Having at least one supportive adult will reduce an LGBTQ+ youth's likelihood of experiencing such outcomes as anxiety and depression. Having an entire support network is an even greater antidote to those negative outcomes.
In addition, OUT MetroWest offers support programs for parents/guardians of our LGBTQ+ youth."
Our Role
The OUT MetroWest Director, Whitney Retallic, was a former Youth Coordinator for FPC. Through the LGBTQ+ Task Force, OWL, and personal discussions, we have recommended these programs to FPC youth and families.
FPC Involvement
We are aware that FPC youth and families have chosen to participate in some of these programs. Through the LGBTQ+ Task Force, June PRIDE events, adult OWL, youth OWL and high school explorations, we continue to educate and involve multiple age groups in the FPC community in awareness, understanding and advocacy for those who identify as LGBTQ+. Thank you for past support for this organization.
Pink Haven Coalition
Kathy Haberle and Josh Ledwell
We often think of people seeking asylum in America, but few of us imagine that Americans might need to flee within our country to stay safe or to receive proper care. In Texas, a city empowers individuals to sue up to $10,000 for turning in a person they believe is using the incorrect bathroom for their gender. It is a criminal offense in Florida to use a bathroom or changing room that doesn’t follow one's gender assigned at birth. Quite a few other states have banned youth transgender care. Many have also barred transgender people from changing their gender on their documents (e.g. driver’s license and birth certificate) or using amended birth certificates from other states.
In New England, New Hampshire has gone from mild restrictions to be one of the more restrictive states in the country for transgender people. Recently they banned virtually all youth transgender care, including puberty blockers. Facing state-sponsored discrimination, transgender people and their families must consider whether to relocate or not. Moving is stressful under the best of circumstances, let alone being forced out of your home by laws that undermine your existence.
The Pink Haven Coalition helps transgender people and families escape to safer states. Pink Haven offers monetary support in the relocation as well as a network of volunteers to assist with the transition to a new home. This includes assistance in getting gender affirming care, finding housing, obtaining legal aid, and figuring out a new area. Pink Haven is a grass roots partnership within the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
Your involvement with the organization
Our Pink Haven group of volunteers formed in January 2025. FPC is part of an eastern MA Pink Haven group, and we are starting to see requests come from people seeking assistance. In March, we hosted a table at coffee hour for four Sundays to raise funds. Several of us at FPC have personally signed up to volunteer through Pink Haven’s highly secure registration process. Our goal is to work with local progressive faith organizations to host trans families in need, and connect them with jobs, transportation, health care, and any resources they need to live here.
Ideas for how you will educate & involve the congregation in the work
We have already had guest sermons and meetings with a Pink Haven affiliated minister and UU educator Alex Kapitan. We will host a table again the month we are plate sharing to raise awareness.
Red State Access Project
Ben Atherton-Zeman
The Red State Access Project provides safe abortion medication for free, to those who need it, in states (like Florida, where I now live) that restrict or fully criminalize abortion. Each person who receives the free medication also is offered free "Abortion Doula" services from trained volunteers.
My Role
My own involvement in this project has been extensive, but due to existing laws I am unable to tell you many details for fear of endangering this hard-working volunteer collective. The financial contact is me, and I will personally forward the money to the group.
FPC Involvement
I'd be happy to talk about my work with the group, and the group's work, if there is a way to safely and confidentially do that. Even though I've moved to Florida, I'm still proud to be a member of FPC. I think Blue State UU churches have a responsibility to support abortion access for those in Red States, and I hope you can find it in your heart to put this project in the rotation.
RIA Inc.
Diane J Miller
RIA is a 12 year organization fighting against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. We associate this kind of horror happening in Thailand or India, and now we learn that it is an issue in Stow, Acton, Maynard, Marlboro, etc.
My role
I was one of the original Board Members when we started 12 years ago. Today I continue to support RIA by sharing my expertise on special projects.
FPC Involvement
If I am chosen as one of the Plate Sharing organizations, I will stand in front of the congregation to share past achievements and our plans for the future on a particular Sunday.
Southeast India Project
Bob Tabor
Southeast India Project, which works with poor villages in the tsunami-affected area of Tamil Nadu, India, as well WIDE Orphanage for dalit (the caste formerly known as Untouchables) children, provides micro-lending for financing new opportunities for women, and establishes Self Help Organizations for women.
We continue to sponsor children at WIDE Children's Home, as well as distributing food to dalit, tribal, and Roma marginalized villages.
We also build balwadis (pre-schools) and toilets in rural villages. The Plate Sharing contributions have helped us drill a bore well for a village, build pre-schools, a tailoring school for women in a tribal village, herds of dairy cows managed by Women Self Help Groups, and to reclaim arable land for organic farming in a dalit village.
Your Role
Bob Tabor (20th journey) and Russ Hart (5th year) spent a month there this January, revisiting the Wide Children’s Home and supporting new projects in the primitive dalit villages.
FPC Involvement
Southeast India Foundation leads presentations and discussions with RE class about dalit culture and life of children in India. FPC and other individuals are sponsoring children at WIDE Orphanage, and over 50 FPC families usually contribute children’s vitamins and writing materials, crayons, crafts, games, toys) for over 40 children. This year 5 more children are being sponsored by FPC families, providing these children with a healthy, safe, caring environment, as well as an education.
UU Urban Ministry
Andy Derr
The UU Urban Ministry is a 200-year old non-sectarian, non-profit social justice organization in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. Their mission is to “work across race and place to dismantle racism and white supremacy culture and to advance racial, social, and economic justice.” Their work focuses in 3 areas:
Safer shelter and workforce development programming for survivors of domestic violence
Academic enrichment for Boston-area youth of color
Arts and Humanities programming grounded in a social justice message that amplifies artists and historians of color in our neighborhood
Our involvement
FPC is one of about 20 member congregations who support the UUUM. We used to be more involved with UUUM under Rev. Tom Rosiello’s tenure. Recently the Racial Justice Task Force decided to reinvigorate this relationship, and we have already started building a stronger bridge to the UUUM.
How we will educate and involve the congregation
Starting this fall, we plan to organize trips to Roxbury for several programs including viewing public art in and near Nubian Square, learning about the Trees of John Eliot Square, and participating in the Economic Pilot by checking out Nubian Square shops, meeting the local entrepreneurs and contributing by “buying local”, as well as participating in other events as they arise.
Worcester RISE for Health
Kamlyn Haynes
Worcester has a proud history of welcoming immigrants and refugees, creating the rich, diverse community we see today. However, when refugees and immigrants first arrive, many face unique challenges when navigating a healthcare system that is different from the one they came from and is often too fragmented and complex to meet their specific needs. Traditional healthcare structures, though well-meaning, struggle to accommodate the varied backgrounds, languages, and experiences of these newly arriving individuals.
Rise is a community-embedded health facility—one that is trauma-informed, easy to navigate, and staffed by individuals who share the experiences of the people they serve.
We are proud to center our work around a diverse team of Community Health Workers (CHWs). Our CHWs play a vital role in bridging the gap between our patients and the healthcare system. By offering personalized support with navigating health insurance, scheduling appointments, and arranging transportation, our team ensures that no one is left behind. In addition, our CHWs work hard to address the vast array of social determinants of health (SDOH) our newcomers face and work closely with our community partners to do so. Our initial cadre of CHWs speak Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish but we expect to expand over the first few years to include such languages as Dari, Pashto, Swahili, Arabic, and others reflective of newly arriving populations in need.
RISE provides comprehensive, culturally responsive health care and support services to refugees and immigrants in Worcester, MA and surrounding area. Our vision is to see refugees and immigrants lead healthy and productive lives in the US and thrive physically, emotionally, socially, and economically. We provide services: Primary care, Prenatal Care, Mental Health Care, Support Groups, 1-on-1 care with Community Health Workers, education on health navigation, language interpretation and translation, Cultural Competency Training for healthcare providers.
Your Role
I supervise RISE trainees in their clinic. I teach post-doctoral psychologists and psychiatry residents how to perform Asylum Evaluations. Asylum seekers are referred to our program by their attorneys. We conduct interviews and write declarations documenting the traumatic experiences asylees have experienced for their court proceedings. I have also worked with a Foundation to provide funding for them in their first year.
FPC Involvement
The Chairman of the board, an attorney who refers many of our Asylum seekers, the Executive Director and/or Medical Director would be happy to come speak with members of the congregation.
