A politically active group of women by the name of Mad Grannies have raised $9,500. All proceeds went to Citizens Inn Haven From Hunger. The organization will provide food assistance to food insecure residents of Peabody, Salem, Lynnfield, and whomever may need it.
Mad Grannies began in 2024 by a group of women in a senior independent living center, Brooksby Village, due to concerns about upcoming elections. The group created a platform on TikTok to post political satire, and they’ve accumulated almost 10,000 followers. Meeting twice a month, the group discusses their concerns and worries but also creates the videos for the public to watch.
Their TikTok bio is a perfect welcome to any stranger finding themselves on their page: “Creaky and cheeky and not afraid to be squeaky! To us, TikTok is new. Vote blue!”
The groups following not only grew on TikTok but also in their own community. The women in Brooksby Village had to limit their size to 12 because of the demand. They then created a second organization that they named Defend Democracy that holds more than 185 members.
“It was so upsetting to all of us that SNAP benefits were going to be eliminated or reduced.” Judy Selesnick, fund coordinator of the Mad Grannies, said. “So even though things changed a bit with the SNAP Benefits, we decided to go ahead with it anyway.”
Selesnick and Ann Selinger, the founder of Mad Grannies, proceeded to coordinate what their first community service project would be.
The group began to advertise the project to everyone in the community. A resident of the Brooksby Village would suddenly find messages in their cubbies and see even more advertisements on bulletin boards. The Mad Grannies were “mad” enough about this cause to even create a commercial for the Brooksby community television.
On top of the advertisements, every Friday night in December from 4-6 p.m., the Mad Grannies hosted tables in each major clubhouse of the community. The tables gave the women the opportunity to catch the attention of people who would pass by and inform them of their project and its importance.
With this strategy, they didn’t depend on just flyers or even the community televisions, it was the spoken word that resonated with the people of Brooksby. With light humor, kindness, and warmth that was felt by others, the donation box would be filled with checks, cash, or even gift cards.
“The enthusiasm was outstanding,” Selinger said.
Just when they thought it was over, the last Friday after Christmas, the Mad Grannies put up their final flyer as thank you to the residents of Brooksby. Their acknowledgement was appreciated and shown by a wave of additional checks and gift cards, raising an additional $1,000.
The Mad Grannies extend their gratitude to every Brooksby resident that donated and/or showed their support to spread the word. Not only does this show the importance of community, but it reflects the compassion, connection, and spirit that makes Brooksby so special.
“We all need it. It’s a human condition to be together when you’re worried about something.” Selinger added.
These brave women of the Mad Grannies can be found rallying on a bridge on Route 114 every Saturday in an effort to continue making change.
