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Get Organized 2010

Professionals Help Merrimack Food Bank “GET ORGANIZED”

A group of 11 professional organizers from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts descended on the Merrimack Valley Food Bank in Lowell on Friday January 15th.  Their goal was to spend the day working along side the food bank’s staff and volunteers to organize the facility’s offices and warehouse storage areas.  By eliminating unwanted papers, reducing clutter, consolidating office supply storage and establishing organizational systems that are easy to follow and maintain the food bank will be prepared to assist their customers more efficiently and effectively.  Serving 29 counties in MA and Southern NH the Merrimack Valley Food Bank has seen a 42% increase in requests for help.  Working more efficiently is vital if it is to continue to focus on its mission, which is to help meet a person’s most profound need for adequate nutrition and freedom from hunger.

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In addition, to encourage the public’s participation, Doc Shredding Corporation of Plainville, MA was on hand to shred paper for anyone who donated non-perishable food to the food bank.  Over 80 lbs of food was collected that day.

Amy Pessia, Executive Director for the Food Bank had this to say about the day’s event: “There has been a transformation of our office and warehouse spaces from cluttered, unorganized “black holes” to spaces in which we can actually find items that we’re looking for!  It makes us feel free!  We are learning to put things where they belong right away, so things don’t get buried.”  When asked if it was worth the time and effort Pessia responded, “Absolutely! We are going to carve out time regularly -- monthly or quarterly-- to reduce clutter and put things in their proper place.  It also forced us to develop a work flow and to consider whether how we process donations, grants, etc, is the most efficient way.”

Each year in January Professional Organizers, who are members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), participate in a GO (Get Organized) Month activity.  GO Month is an industry wide event dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of getting organized and of hiring a professional organizer.  With that in mind, for the third year in a row, this energetic and talented group of organizers from NAPO – Greater Manchester donated their time, valued at $7,000, to help put food on the table of those in need. 

For more information contact professional organizers Lorraine Falcone, 603-821-0736, lorraine@naturallyorganizednh.com or Kelly Santos, 978-866-6878, xtrahands.org@gmail.com or NAPO Greater Manchester at  www.napogreatermanchesternh.com.

From left to right.
Front row: Carol Williams, Organize Me, North Sutton NH; Amy Pessia & Kanhnha Soa MVFB; Avis Jones, Mission Accomplished, Kittery ME; Elizabeth Early Sheehan, Organizational Solutions, Derring NH;
Second Row:  Suellen O’Neil, Darlene Parker-Hawes, Lisa Couturier all from MFVB; Sandy Rhee Organization Guru, Nashua NH; Pat Sangillo The Clutter Whisperer, Contoocook NH;  Lorraine Falcone, Naturally Organized, Hudson NH;  Denise Rougeau, New Found Freedom, Haverhill MA, Lisa Brylczyk Organizing Czyk, Freemont NH; Linda Hutchinson, LBH Professional Services, Manchester NH;
Back Row:  Carey Normile Sellers, All Lined Up, Manchester NH; Kelly Santos, Xtra Hands, Lowell MA; Tammy Gagnon MVFB

Let's discuss your goal!
Lorraine Falcone
603.821.0736
lorraine@naturallyorganizednh.com