Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

‘Need is there’ for Scouting for Food program

Scouts and volunteers organize donations at last year’s Scouting for Food event. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Scouts from all of Hopkinton’s units will collect and organize donations this Saturday as part of the annual Scouting for Food drive.

“We’re currently set up to start sorting at Faith [Community Church],” said Karen Thayer Bograd, president of the Hopkinton Scout Leaders Association. She estimated that somewhere between 300-350 scouts could participate in the food collection drive. Bograd also noted that due to the potential for rain, other venues for sorting items were being considered.

The Scouting for Food drive began last weekend, with volunteers attaching donation bags to resident mailboxes across town. All donations will benefit the food pantry at Project Just Because.

In the bags provided, donors are encouraged to put items like condiments, canned fish, baking ingredients, paper goods, cleaning products and more. A full list of items is available on the HSLA website. Bags will be picked up by Scouts from residents’ mailboxes starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Bograd also recommended residents check the expiration dates on the food they donate, as the food pantry at PJB only accepts expiration dates of 2026 or later.

Given recent national concerns over food security, Bograd stressed the importance of the food drive. “Right now, there’s just a huge concern about SNAP benefits running out and the need we’re going to see in our communities,” she said.

“We hope we can bring in a little more because the need is certainly there,” she added.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Select Board on Tuesday heard from Trails Committee chair Peter LaGoy about the detrimental impact of e-bikes on town trails.

Kyla LaPierre, Hopkinton’s chief financial officer, informed the Select Board on Tuesday that early projections for fiscal year 2027 show a potential budget shortfall of $1.8 million.

This week’s Police Log features four arrests, along with reports of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on West Main Street, a dump truck on fire and missing stop signs.

Our latest Sports Roundup highlights Hopkinton High School field hockey’s advancement to the state quarterfinals after defeating Concord-Carlisle on Wednesday.

Louise Mayer, 97, passed away Nov. 4. She was a graduate of Hopkinton High School.

Enter Stage Left Theater will put on a production of “Bestest Bed Time Stories (As Told by our Grandpa)” on Friday at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

Town meetings tonight include the Community Preservation Committee (5) and the School Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

The sun shines on Lake Whitehall on a recent day.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO