Plymouth Public Library Among Local Heroes Honorees

The Plymouth Public Library is among several Plymouth organizations honored by the South Shore Community Action at its Local Heroes Awards night last week.

Each year, the SSCAC acknowledges people and organizations for their contributions to the council's efforts and calls them local heroes.

"Local Heroes award is all about witnessing those marvelous local residents who make this a wonderful community," Executive Director Pat Daley told WATD.

The Plymouth Public Library's collected aproximately 2,500 pounds of food last year through its food for fines program. Patrons may choose to donate food instead of paying a fine for overdue books.

Linda Fitzgerald the librarian who heads up public services credited the people at the circulation desk for the program's success.

"It’s all those hard working people behind the circulation desk who really implement this program," she said

Two members of the Plymouth Industrial Development Corp. were recognized.

Ed Santos, president of the PIDC, and Barbara Bobblis, the vice president, were recognized for their work.

According to the SSCAC Santos was honored for his efforts on the Jordan Hospital board of directors, the Plymouth Rotary Club, the Plymouth 400 Committee and many more volunteer efforts.

Bobblis was recognized for her volunteer work with the Plymouth YMCA, the town of Plymouth 375th Anniversary Committee, North Plymouth Business Association, Friends of Plymouth Pound, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, Inc., South Shore Women's Resource Center, America's Home Town Corporation, the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Bay Housing Corporation, and the Plymouth Economic Foundation, and other organizations.

The Market at the Pinehills was recognized for its commitment to fighting hunger in the area through efforts to support the SSCAC's food drives, employees at The Market collect food donations from customers for the Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse.

Like the Library, The Market also hosts a community food donation collection bin and makes contributions in the name of residents of The Pinehills. In 2012, the managers and employees of The Market contributed 2,362 pounds of food to the Food Warehouse. That's roughly 1,776 meals helping to feed the hungry in our communities.

Jordan Hospital was honored with Steven Braz Leadership Award for its partnership with the town of Plymouth and SSCAC for the "Healthy Plymouth" initiative. The program, funded by a grant from the Department of Public Health, supports the town's efforts to implement multi-faceted policies and strategies aimed at promoting nutrition, healthy eating, and active living.

For the low-income people served by SSCAC, affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods is often an obstacle to overall health and well-being. This is particularly true for low income children and the elderly who are the most vulnerable to poor health outcomes due to malnutrition. As we know, and as Peter and Andrea know, a collaborative, community-based response represents our best efforts at fighting hunger.

Other South Shore Community Action Council Local Heroes:

• Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse
• Susannah Locketti
• Brendan Haas
• Lela Ray Community Service Award, Marty's GMC of Kingston

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