Hi, I’m Phil Robakiewicz. In recent years, I have become more aware of the problem of food insecurity among our neighbors – and that this is not just an urban issue, but one that is critical for rural communities and surprisingly prevalent in suburban locations as well.

Like many of you who are fortunate to have yards, gardens, balconies, or other places to gaze out, I enjoy watching birds visit bird feeders in the winter. And, also like you, I seem to manage to spend a couple hundred dollars every season for various feeds.

It occurred to me that if I could spend that on birds, then why am I not doing more to help people in my community? So, this year, in addition to the food drive giving that we usually do, I am going to donate an equal amount to provide food to our local community pantry.

I’d like you to consider signing on to my Bird Bucks Challenge by donating an equal amount to what you spend in bird feeding to feeding people in your community.

And if it’s easier, I have set up a GoFundMe to accept monetary donations that will go directly to the Friends of Grafton, Inc. who provide emergency food and essential items to families and individuals in need in central Massachusetts.