“During the past month of the COVID-19 shutdown, the number of individuals and families served at the Sandwich Food Pantry has increased by 75%, while our volunteer participation has decreased substantially due to concerns of infection. We are especially heartened to learn about the ‘Poem-athon’, a new, fun event sponsored by the Literary Arts Group of the Sandwich Arts Alliance to celebrate National Poetry Month by helping the Sandwich Food Pantry.  Thank you ALL for thinking of us!\" - Kathy Aubin, Sandwich Food Pantry board member

The Sandwich Arts Alliance invites the community to get involved in a good cause during April, National Poetry Month, also a month of staying in our homes to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The SAA Literary Arts Group’s \"Poem-athon\" is an opportunity to help your neighbors while honoring a fine literary tradition.

The Poem-athon offers members of the public a chance to receive an original poem created especially for them, a friend or a loved one. In return for the poem, the SAA Literary Group asks that a donation be made to the Sandwich Food Pantry, so seriously hit by the recent and dire needs of our Cape Cod community.

“Who doesn’t love poems?”, enthused author and Literary Arts coordinator Christie Lowrance. “Instead of a birthday card, why not give a child or a friend a poem? Or maybe request one just to cheer yourself up. This is a unique and personal gift you can give to help the Sandwich Food Pantry to help our neighbors. It’s a win-win all around.”

The Literary Arts group includes published poets in haiku and the San Francisco Romantic Movement of the 60s, among others, but most of the members generally write fiction, non-fiction, memoir, children’s books or biography. Whatever their specialty, the writers will do their best to create something wonderful for donors.

Instructions on how to take part in the SAA Literary Group’s Poem-athon can be found on the SAA website at: https://www.sandwichartsalliance.org/poem-athon.html.