Spring has sprung, and we hope you’re enjoying the vibrant blooms and cheerful birdsongs as much as we are! This month, we’re shaking things up a bit with a refreshed format. We’ve got some exciting updates to share—including two new faces on the Marion Institute team, a packed calendar of upcoming events, and a look at what we’ve been up to lately. Read on to catch all the latest!
Welcome Allie Wainer, Our Newest Board Member!
We’re excited to welcome Allie Wainer to the Marion Institute Board of Directors! As Regional Vice President of New England for The Chefs’ Warehouse and Sid Wainer & Son, Allie brings deep expertise in food distribution, a passion for the local food economy, and a long-standing commitment to food access and sustainability. Her leadership and industry insight are a fantastic addition to our mission.
Welcome Ann-Marie Kirshon, Our New Director of Finance!
We’re thrilled to introduce Ann-Marie Kirshon as the newest member of the Marion Institute team! A lifelong advocate for food security, Ann-Marie brings a unique blend of accounting expertise, creative spirit, and community dedication. From volunteering in soup kitchens as a teen to co-founding a nonprofit that blends music with mission, she’s deeply committed to building a more equitable food system.
Join Us for this Bring-A-Friend Community Conversation
Did you know… 1-in-2 adults report feeling lonely on a regular basis. According to the Surgeon General, widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily, at a cost of billions of dollars annually.
The good news is that reversing the trend of loneliness is within our reach! Grab a friend and join us for this thought-provoking conversation. As an added perk, light refreshments will be available.
Bigger Reach, Bigger Impact
Challenge Yourself
Can you eat from a 200 mile radius for 1 month? Join us for this year’s Eat Local Southcoast Challenge! When you register you will receive weekly emails chock full of tips, facts, recipes, and more to keep you excited and motivated throughout the four-week Eat Local Southcoast Challenge.
Take ACTION, Get Involved!
Our Earth Day BioBlitz was a Success!
At Frogfoot Farm, we’re not just growing food—we’re nurturing a healthy ecosystem. Through our Neighbors Feeding Neighbors program, we farm in partnership with nature, creating a space where pollinators, birds, frogs, and other wildlife thrive alongside our crops.
With help from 18 volunteers on April 27, we logged 155 observations, which included 24 species of birds, 21 species of plants, and 1 species of fungi—giving us valuable insight into how our ecological practices are making a difference. Every species spotted brings us closer to a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Planting Knowledge, Growing Change
With the growing season underway, Grow Education Program Manager Nate Sander recently led a pre-season training with our FoodCorps members to align on lesson plans, planting techniques, and best practices for engaging students in the garden.
Now, with beds planted and seedlings sprouting, students are beginning to see the fruits of their labor—and the roots of hands-on food education taking hold.
Craft a meaningful legacy through the Marion Institute’s Legacy Society with planned gifts, impacting our mission in perpetuity.
If you are interested in learning more about the Marion Institute’s Legacy Society as well as the financial and tax benefits of a planned gift (regardless of gift size), we are happy to share information and resources with you. To execute your planned gift, please use our IRS-registered name “The Marion Institute, Inc.” and EIN number 04-3206583.
If you’ve designated a planned gift, or have questions about our Legacy Society, please reach out at legacy@marioninstitute.org or 508-748-0816, ext. 118.
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