Santa Claus is coming to Marshfield and helping us to collect warm coats, blankets, gift cards and packages of new underwear. The Marshfield Chamber of Commerce has been busy planning the Holiday Festival of Lights for Sunday, December 6, downtown (Shaw's parking lot, near Papa Gino's and the Post Office.) Sowing Seeds volunteers will be there from 1:00 to 4:30 pm. Hope to see you there.

Santa also will be there with holiday carolers strolling around the square, pony rides, a model train set, a trackless train, face painting a kid's DJ, kids prizes and a jingle bell pass, high school carolers and more. Yes, it's free!

Thanks, Chamber, it sounds like fun! Thanks also for providing an opportunity for Sowing Seeds and the Food Pantry to help our neighbors this winter. The Food Pantry will be collecting unexpired cans of food. Sowing Seeds will be accepting warm coats (in new or nearly new condition), blankets, gift certificates to local merchants, and packages of new underwear to distribute to Marshfield's neediest families. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share some basics and some holiday cheer.

Thank you all for your continued interest and support.

Tags: current needs, blankets, gift cards to local stores, hats, gloves, mittens, Marshfield Chamber of Commerce,, new socks and new underwear, underwear

Two regular groups met at Sowing Seeds this week: The Board of Directors and the Intake Committee. Sadly, none reported a let up in the number of local individuals and families really struggling through hard times. Although our services are vast, and our wish list for goods and staples is long, the greatest need we have right now is for packages of new underwear and new socks.

If you purchased a package of new underwear or a pair of socks in the wrong size, please consider donating them to Sowing Seeds this month. All sizes and genders are welcomed and urgently needed. Onesies, toddlers, kids, teens, women’s, men’s -- if you have them and they are new (packaged or tagged) -- we know families that can use them right now. The friends and supporters of Sowing Seeds have been extremely generous with their donations of other goods to Sowing Seeds. To date, however, underwear, has not been a highly donated item. Let’s show our neighbors in need that we care about their basic needs, and see how much brand new underwear we can get donated before July 4th.

In lieu of packages of new socks and new underwear, gift cards to local merchants (especially Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Payless Shoes and Stop & Shop) are urgently needed and greatly appreciated.

Thanks for helping us with our neighbors’ bare necessities!










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Tags: bare necessities, underwear, urgent needs, current needs, new socks and new underwear

At Sowing Seeds we usually focus on meeting the most basic need of our neighbors. Basics needs come in many different colors.

When a Mom or Dad visits our Clothing Bank with children in tow, it’s helpful to have an activity to occupy our littlest visitors so that their parent can find appropriately sized clothing for the family.

Nothing seems to soothe a restless toddler’s or child’s energy like a new box of crayons and a new coloring book. We are currently seeking donations of small boxes of crayons and coloring books to give to the children who visit Sowing Seeds. In addition to helping the Moms who visit us these items will be a little boost for the small children who are already experiencing a lot of stress in their young lives. Let’s color their world with blue, green, yellow, magenta, joy and hope.

If you see crayons and coloring books on sale, please consider purchasing them and donating them to Sowing Seeds during regular Clothing Bank hours, Thursday and Satrudays, from 10 am to 12 noon. We are located at 974 Plain Street (Route 139), Marshfield, Massachusetts, 02050. (Please remember that is not our mailing address. We receive mail at PO Box 1001, Marshfield, MA 02050.)

Thank you for helping us help our neighbors!











(For additional “News & Needs” please click on “Sowing Seeds News Updates” to the right of your screen, or the “News and Needs” link sometimes on the top of this page. Your options may vary with the type of browser you’re using.)

Tags: current needs, coloring books, crayons

Sowing Seeds has a shortage of coats this year. The Clothing Bank at Sowing Seeds serves residents of Marshfield. Located at 974 Plain Street, the Clothing Bank is in the building that used to be the First Baptist Church. (It's at the corner of School Street and Rte. 139.)

New and nearly new clothing is distributed to individuals and families needing a helping hand. The hours are usually 10 am to 12 noon on Thursday and Saturday mornings. The volunteers are busier than ever. The need within Marshfield has never been this great since Sowing Seeds formed 15 years ago.

Thanks for considering your neighbors and passing along your gently used clothing. Packages of new socks and new underwear are also needed, as well as gift certificates to local discount stores (especially Marshalls, Kohl's and Payless Shoes), gas cards, and other staple goods. Hats, gloves, mittens and blankets are also needed.

Please note: If you want your donated clothing to be used locally, please do not place it in the bins by Sowing Seeds. Only clothing that is delivered to a volunteer during Clothing Bank hours is accepted for local use. Unfortunately, clothing that is left outside the door cannot be considered for Sowing Seeds to use. Please bring clean, wearable clothing to the volunteers during operating hours noted above.

Call 781.837.3337 if you need a hand, or if you can donate your time, treasure or talent. A volunteer will return your call.

Marshfield residents have been very supportive of one another. We trust the community will continue to help one another through these economically tough days. Let's hope there is less local need next year at this time. Meanwhile, many quiet miracles are worked here, week in and week out.












(For additional “News & Needs” please click on “Sowing Seeds News Updates” to the right of your screen, or the “News and Needs” link sometimes on the top of this page. Your options may vary with the type of browser you’re using.)

Tags: gift cards to local stores, current needs, new socks and new underwear, gasoline cards, hats, gloves, mittens, donations, blankets, new and nearly new clothing

As Marshfield parents and children prepare for another school year they face tremendous financial strain. Back-to-school clothing, escalated food costs and elevated fuel prices are just a few of the factors adding to budgetary stress. Historically, Marshfield residents have been very generous in helping several of our neighbors in need at the beginning of the school year. This fall there are many more children in need of our assistance, and we have never seen a level of need here that is this great.

Backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, paper and crayons are among the many items our children require. (Specific lists of other items may also be available on each Marshfield school’s website.) In addition to school supplies our Clothing Bank also distributes back-to-shool clothing. Packages of new underwear and gift certificates to local stores, including Marshalls, Kohl’s and Payless Shoes, are always in short supply.


Your charitable donations can be delivered on Thursday and Saturday mornings, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, or mailed to us at: Sowing Seeds, PO Box 1001, Marshfield, MA 02050.











(For additional “News & Needs” please click on “Sowing Seeds News Updates” to the right of your screen, or the “News and Needs” link sometimes on the top of this page. Your options may vary with the type of browser you’re using.)

Tags: current needs

For many people summertime offers relief from some responsibilities and stresses. Schedules are relaxed as children break from school and parents reduce their workloads. Unfortunately, other families experience increased struggles, as school lunches are not available, and parents are taxed to find affordable child care options.

This year Sowing Seeds has seen a dramatic increase in the number of individuals and familiies contacting us for help. We’ve never been this busy before. All of our services are greatly tapped, as we remain committed to helping our neighbors in need.

If you have a trade or professional skill, few dollars or a few hours to spare, please consider contacting us to see how you can help us to help our neighbors.











(For additional “News & Needs” please click on “Sowing Seeds News Updates” to the right of your screen, or the “News and Needs” link sometimes on the top of this page. Your options may vary with the type of browser you’re using.)

Tags: increased need for help, professional skills, trade skills, current needs