May Milestones Bring Back Memories

Ten years ago, ONT did something different. With the need for nutritious food rising, we didn't just build a bigger pantry - we created a free grocery store that improved access to healthy foods, and pulled back the stigma of asking for help.

To make it possible, Greg Jardis, owner of Amesbury Industrial Supply and one of our biggest benefactors, donated the large space on Main Street for $1.

To mark the 10th birthday of the Jardis-Taylor Center, Greg joined our market team and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove at the bustling market earlier this month and we hung a banner to mark 10 years of service.

Of course, ONT's history goes back much further - to a group of local parishioners at Amesbury's Main Street Congregational Church who saw a need for healthy food and companionship in their church. In May of 1992, they prepared their first weekly meal at the parish vestry and served 8 people - there were more volunteers than guests. The rest is history.

The meal quickly grew as word spread and by the following year, more churches got involved and the guest count rose to nearly 100. Through the tenures of executive directors Rosemary Werner and Lindsay Haight, and behind the incredible support of the community, ONT grew to unforeseen heights.

In 2025 alone:

• 3 million pounds of food went through our food programs and the Seacoast Regional Food Hub
• Nearly 7,000 people were served through our grocery programs
• More than 19,500 dinners were provided by the Community Meal

ONT's 34th anniversary deserved its own celebration, so our board of directors and new executive director served the birthday meal alongside volunteers from Main Street Congregational Church (MSCC) on May 6 in the same hall where it started.

One of the attendees from MSCC was an original founder - Betsy Morin of South Hampton. We served more than 420 meals that night, including 80 people in the busy dining room with laughs, conversation and music filling the room - a collection of neighbors enjoying food and community, just as they intended 34 years ago.

Under Executive Director Tracey Friedman, ONT will continue to grow our ability to meet the needs of the people we serve. Thank you to everyone who has played a role - large or small - in building this special place where our community comes together to help each other.

PHOTOS - 1. Founding members of ONT in 1992; 2. Rosemary Werner (and friends); 3. Grand Opening of the Amesbury market; 4. Dedication of the Jardis-Taylor Center; 5. Mayor Gove, Greg Jardis and Tracey Friedman; 6. New market banner; 7. ONT's board and ED at the birthday meal; 8. ONT founder Betsy Morin and Communications Director Will Courtney.