The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Restaurant Week is set to run from May 5-14 — from Cinco de Mayo until Mother’s Day.

The event is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore the town’s restaurants, many of whom will be offering special meals and deals. It was started two years ago to help restaurants emerge from the pandemic and has become an annual highlight.

“I know all the restaurants, they really get a jolt of business,” Chamber of Commerce vice president Bryan Brown said. “They see customers they don’t normally see. So it’s driving new business, and they’re trying new menu items. They’re having a lot of fun with it, and they’re having a lot of success with it.”

Brown said people have reached out to ask about the event, and he’s expecting a good turnout. Fellow Chamber of Commerce businesses along with the town are supporting the event primarily by paying for marketing.

“We want it to be bigger and better than in past years,” Brown said. “We’re dedicating that week-and-a-half to focus on the local businesses in town. They have committed to stepping up and providing new menu items and trying new things. The other chamber businesses have stepped up to help the restaurants thrive. We’re asking the customers to do the same. Try new restaurants and see what they’re all about.”

Participating restaurants (as of late April) include Alltown Fresh, Angel’s Cafe/Red Barn Coffee Roasters, Bill’s Downtown Pizzeria & Bar, Central Public House, Chef’s Kitchen on Main, Cornell’s Irish Pub, Hop-Yo, Orale, The Spoon/The Spoonery, Start Line Brewing and 110 Grill.

Season for plant sales

We didn’t get a ton of April showers, but there will be plenty of May flowers around this month.

For those looking to build up their gardens, there are two big plant sale fundraisers upcoming.

On Saturday, May 13, the Hopkinton Garden Club will host its annual Spring Plant Sale from 8 a.m. until noon at the Town Common.

Then on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, the Senior Center will hold its annual sale at the Senior Center.

The Garden Club event is the major annual fundraiser for the organization, whose goal is to “promote and teach gardening, horticulture and floral design; to develop and encourage community spirit through town beautification; and to assist, promote, and contribute to town conservation efforts.”

The sale helps fund the club’s town beautification efforts, educational programs and community project initiatives.

Club members have been growing annuals and perennials for the sale, which will include a wide variety of flowers, hanging planters, vegetables, herbs and house plants.

Also at the Garden Club event, the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association (MMGA) will have trained volunteers staffing a horticultural education booth. They will answer questions about the Master Gardener organization and address plant problems and garden design issues (visitors are advised to bring photos).

The Hopkinton Sustainable Green Committee will present information about composting and environmentally safer gardening practices, including using native plants that can be purchased at the sale.

In response to the rapidly spreading jumping worm infestation across Massachusetts, club members are taking extra precautions. Further information on jumping worms will be available at the sale.

The Garden Club, which turns 100 next year, is an affiliate of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. Visit hopkintongardenclub.org for more information.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Hopkinton Seniors will host its annual fundraising sale the following weekend.

“We will have a variety of tomatoes, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown by our members in the center’s greenhouse as well as donated plants, all at rock bottom prices!” the organization shared.

There also will be a wide selection of gardening books, as well as cookbooks, children’s books, antique books, DVDs, CDs and more.

As part of the fundraiser, donations are accepted from the community in the form of potted vegetables, herbs, annuals and perennials. Residents are asked to consider donating plants they have divided from their gardens. Potted plant donations can be dropped off at the Senior Center, in clean containers marked with the plant name, on May 17 and 18.

Funds raised from the event support Hopkinton Senior Center programs.

Resident joins Walk for Hunger

Hopkinton’s Pamela Whelan is participating in the 55th annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 7. She will be one of about 3,000 people who are walking live around the Boston Common or participating virtually.

The one-day fundraising event is expected to raise more than $1 million to support food assistance resources and sustainable policy solutions to end hunger in Massachusetts. According to Project Bread, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 households with children across the state are worried about having enough to eat.

For more information or to donate to Whelan’s fundraising efforts, visit support.projectbread.org.

Food Drive nets haul

The Knights of Columbus Bishop Rice Council 4822 (representing Hopkinton and Ashland) announced that its recent Food for Families Food Drive was “a huge success,” netting more than 1,200 pounds of food and supplies along with $2,300 in donations to support neighbors in need.

“Your local Knights of Columbus are most grateful for your ongoing support,” shared event co-chairs Jim Kenealy and Paul St. Jean.

The food pantry at Hopkinton-based Project Just Because was the recipient of the donations.