A Spaghettios Shortage, and More

Like many kids, 11-year-old Ashlyn Macdonald of Attleboro, Massachusetts, has a favorite meal: Spaghettios with meatballs, which she eats at least once a day, and sometimes three times. Unlike other kids, Ashlyn’s need for this comfort food is serious. She is autistic and nonverbal, and a mouthful of the canned pasta soothes her. “Structure is what centers her—it gives her a sense of control when everything else seems chaotic and overwhelming,” says her mom, Crystal Macdonald. “Ashlyn is most comfortable when she feels as if she’s living Groundhog Day every day. Spaghettios are a sensory experience for her.”

Naturally, the Macdonalds keep their pantry stocked with Spaghettios, but during the run on supplies caused by the pandemic last year, stores suddenly ran out. Crystal had to drive farther and farther every week to find them. Her search became so timeconsuming that a local newspaper ran a story. And then something amazing happened: Strangers in the region scoured their local grocers’ shelves and shipped what they found to Ashlyn. All told, she received 400 cans from the community and another 782 from the Campbell Soup Company. Crystal is thrilled and relieved, but not nearly as much as Ashlyn. “When she sees all those cans of Spaghettios, she’s very happy,” Crystal says.