There's nothing like the start of a new year to help you focus on change. Here's a Top 10 list, in no particular order:

1. Lose weight.
2. Work out more.
3. Drink less.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Spend more time with family and friends.
6. Get out of debt.
7. Learn something new.
8. Be more patient.
9. Find more "me" time.
10. Do more to help others.

Hmmm... do more to help others. Let's focus on that one as a great way to start the New Year.

Gathering Change helps food pantries

There are many ways you can help others in 2011. One option is teaming up with Gathering Change. They are a grassroots, non-profit, charitable organization that collects spare change from communities for distribution back into neighborhood food pantries and social programs. 

Since their first collection in October of 2008, they have donated food or funds to over 35 Massachusetts food pantries. The mission is simple: collect spare change from your home, your children's schools, local businesses and faith communities to meet the immediate basic needs of local residents who cannot achieve this goal alone. 

One event raises over $1,800.00 for Westborough

Recently, one Westborough resident, Karen Ross, hosted a soup luncheon to raise funds for Gathering Change.  When asked how she learned of the organization, she replied, "Well, it's really a story of one good deed leading to another. I asked my friend, Judy DiOrio, to do the Polar Plunge with me last year, and she said she would. But then she added, in a friendly way, that if she were willing to jump into frigid Lake Chauncy, I might consider helping her host a Gathering Change event in 2010."

The rest, as they say, is history. In November, Ross hosted about 40 guests, who donated over $1,900.00 in change and checks. After helping Gathering Change with operating expenses, the total amount donated to the Westborough Food Pantry was a little over $1,800.00 "What an outpouring of love and support from Karen's circle of family and friends. In the span of two to three hours, they really made a big difference," said DiOrio.

Not only that, Ross had reached out to Panera Bread, who donated salad and sandwiches to accompany all of the homemade soups. "I can't thank Panera enough for contributing to the success of our luncheon," said Ross. "It's amazing how they don't hesitate when asked to help our community."

Westborough Food Pantry needs help

On Dec. 16, Ross and DiOrio presented their check to Ginny Lindsey of the Westborough Food Pantry. DiOrio mentioned that, "Even though [the food pantry] has been receiving a lot of donations throughout this holiday season, the winter months are historically much leaner, and they now have around 100 clients."

The food pantry appreciates monetary donations because the money can be used to help clients through tough times, so they can buy the things that usually don't get donated. 

"One thing they always seem to need is personal items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc) and paper products," DiOrio said. "Their clients are in need of these items, since they cannot buy anything that is taxable with their food stamps."

Lindsey shared that the food pantry was recently informed by Karen Polito that she will no longer be able to hold her annual golf tournament. Over the last nine years, that tournament has consistently been the biggest donor to the food pantry, raising as much as $10,000. They are concerned about the impact this will have on the food pantry in the future and are hoping someone else will step up to sponsor an event like that. 

Meanwhile, we can all help the food pantry by collecting loose change. As Gathering Change puts it, we can turn our compassion into action because everyone should have food to eat, fuel to stay warm, clothes to wear, educational opportunities, love and support.

It's a new year -- a time to consider the Gathering Change philosophy of sharing our abundance and fostering a sense of interconnection, care and well being throughout our neighborhoods.

Happy New Year, everyone! Let's show Westborough how a little change can do a lot of good this year.