Rotary Club of Bedford’s Community Dinner on Wednesday, February 25 proved once again that sharing a meal can be a powerful way to build connection and strengthen community. Held in the welcoming Upper Fellowship Hall at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, the evening embodied the spirit captured so simply in the dinner’s tagline: “Sharing a meal, building community.” More than 60 residents—families with young children, teenagers, older adults, and longtime Bedford neighbors—gathered around tables to enjoy a hearty meal and lively conversation. The dinners, offered free of charge, reflect Rotary’s commitment to fostering inclusion and belonging in Bedford.
The Rotary Club of Bedford proudly welcomed its newest member, Jim McIntire, during a special induction ceremony filled with fellowship and celebration. Jim’s sponsor, Victor Tom, shared highlights of Jim's background and accomplishments. He grew up in New England and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration from Anna Maria College. Jim honorably served for more than 32 years as a Melrose Police Officer before retiring. He and his wife, Shuqing, now live in Bedford, not far from fellow Rotarians Tom and Christine, Sze-Wen and Karen, and Ralph — a reflection of the close-knit community that defines the club. In retirement, Jim enjoys reading, hiking, and playing ping-pong.
Despite bitterly cold weather, the Upper Fellowship Hall at First Church was nearly full on January 28 as neighbors gathered for another successful Bedford Community Dinner. Volunteers from Middlesex Savings Bank prepared and served a hearty pasta meal, offering guests a choice of baked ziti or vegetable alfredo, accompanied by garlic bread—comforting fare that warmed both bodies and spirits.
Photo left: MSB volunteer serving beverages (photos by Christine Pinney)
Middlesex Community College (MCC) addresses student housing and food insecurity through its Wellness Resource Center offering two free food pantries (Bedford and Lowell campuses) with fresh, frozen, and non-perishable items. These services assist the 35–41% of students self- reporting food insecurity, providing crucial support to help students focus on academics.
Being able to meet a student’s basic needs such as food and housing often means the difference in a student’s ability to focus on their education, graduate and reach their goals. Jonathan Crockett is MCC’s Coordinator of Essential Needs and Community Resource, seeking to provide help to all of the college’s students who need it.
The Hope for the Hungry meal-packing event is returning on March 21, 2026, and this year we’re excited to put a special focus on something close to our hearts: engaging young people in hands-on service. We're also excited to have a special partner in St Paul's Episcopal Church for this event!
This year’s event is intentionally designed to be youth-focused, welcoming students, Girl Scouts and Scouts, Interactors, youth groups, and families with children. Our goal is to give young packers the opportunity not only to help package thousands of meals, but also to truly understand the impact they can have in addressing food insecurity in our community.
RYLA Opportunity for Bedford Sophomores
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (also known as RYLA) will be held from June 26-28, 2026 at Fitchburg State University with over 200 students from across Central Massachusetts. Each year, the Rotary Club of Bedford selects and sponsors a group of students with excellent potential for leadership and service for attendance.
The RYLA application is live at this link: https://tinyurl.com/Bedford-RYLA-2026
Join us for the next Bedford Community Dinner on Tuesday, January 28th, at 5:30 pm at First Church. This dinner is open to all—neighbors, friends, and families are all welcome!
We’re excited to share that this will be our first Community Dinner with a co-host and sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank. The MSB team will plan, cook, and serve the meal, and before dinner they’ll also offer a Fraud Prevention presentation with helpful tips to keep our community informed and safe. This session will equip you with the knowledge to protect yourself from scams and fraudulent activities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn valuable tips and ask questions. The presentation will held at 4:30pm in Upper Fellowship Hall.
Bedford, MA 01730
United States of America