The mutual aid network Newton Neighbors, founded in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by four Newton residents – Martha Bixby, Ranjani Paradise, Shalini Tendulkar, and Shreeda Vyas – is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The organization works to connect Newton residents and provide members of the community with access to a variety of vital resources and support.
Since its founding, Newton Neighbors has partnered with local food pantries to deliver over 8,000 meals, facilitated the donation of thousands of pounds of food items to dozens of pantries across the state, helped found the Newton Community Freedge – a free refrigerator and pantry accessible to all – and raised thousands of dollars and lots of household supplies to support the community through porch drives.
Fundraising and collecting donations through initiatives like porch drives are integral to the organization’s mission. Newton Neighbors hosts annual drives to send students to summer camp, collect diapers and school supplies, and distribute grocery gift cards to local families through the Bruce Hugh Wilson “Giving Thanks” Drive.
Founding member and President of Newton Neighbors Shalini Tendulkar said that she was inspired to establish the organization after observing Newton residents and community members grappling with COVID-19. Hoping to address the effects of school closures on food access for students, she and the other founding members established a Facebook group. Five years later, the original Facebook page has grown into a fully incorporated 501(c)(3) organization with over 20 core volunteers.
Founding member and board member emeritus Martha Bixby said that some of her favorite moments at Newton Neighbors took place during the challenging – but fulfilling – pandemic years.
“Early on in the pandemic, we organized a ‘care packages’ program for very young members of our community and older members of our community, and to support local businesses at a time when business was low,” she said. “Working with small business leaders, business owners designed ‘care packages’ with toys, games, sudoku, art supplies, and more, and then members of the community purchased them to gift to local older residents and families with children under five as a friendly gesture of community support.”
Bixby said that to her, Newton Neighbors represents the best of the city.
“Throughout what was a difficult and scary time at the beginning of the pandemic, neighbors did so much for each other, in ways big and small,” she said. “At that time – and five years later, looking at all the challenges and stresses we all face today – people are still doing that.”
Tendulkar said that she appreciates the organization’s commitment to equity and loves to see how its projects embody its core values.
‘I appreciate how we do the work, the values we hold, and how we support neighbors with no judgment and with compassion and kindness,” she said. “We are living in a time when it feels like there is tremendous division around us. Newton Neighbors is a bright light in that chaos, a community that is kind, welcoming, and accepting.”
Tendulkar said that seeing neighbors struggling in some way themselves offering to work with the organization has been deeply meaningful and contributes to a strong community.
“We have neighbors who are clients of local food pantries and drive through our food pantry delivery program. We have neighbors who have received donations of household supplies who reach out when another neighbor is in need and offer their support,” she said. “We work hard to cultivate the belief that we are not a community of people who can give and people who take but a community of neighbors.”
Founding member Ranjani Paradise, who spearheaded the organization’s food pantry delivery program, said that she loves working with the Newton Neighbors team and seeing her efforts make a tangible difference in the community.
“We have an incredible team of committed, talented, and compassionate people. I’m so glad to have met them and to have a chance to work with them,” she said. “Working with Newton Neighbors has also made me feel much more connected to my community in general and gives me a sense of purpose. Working to make a positive impact locally is very meaningful to me.”
For those looking to get involved, tax-deductible contributions can be made through the Newton Neighbors website.
Theo Younkin is a Fig City News student reporter, a junior at Newton South High School, and Co-Managing Editor of the NSHS Lion’s Roar.
