September is National Hunger Action Month

Charlotte Food Shelf News

September is the month where people all over America stand together with Feeding America and the nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger. It’s a month to spread the word and take action on hunger crisis. In addition, the Vermont Foodbank recently announced the release of “The State ofSenior Hunger in America in 2015,” a study about food insecurity among seniors in the U.S. produced by Feeding America and released in partnership with the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH). The report shows that, nationally, 5.4 million or 8.1 percent of seniors age 60 or older were food insecure in 2015, the most recent year for which data are available. In Vermont, 7.5 percent of seniors were food insecure.

Food insecurity refers to the lack of access to enough nutritious food. “With 7.5 percent of older Vermonters struggling with food insecurity, it is critical that we come together to take action,” says Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “We must work together to create a world where our older neighbors and family members have access to the nutritious food they need to live long, healthy, happy lives. We call on individuals, businesses and the government to join us as we work toward our mission to ensure that no one in Vermont goes hungry.”

You can help those in your own community by donating to the Charlotte Food Shelf. Monetary and food donations are always appreciated.

Donations
We are a volunteer organization and all donations you make to the Food Shelf go directly for food and/or assistance to our local neighbors in need. Thank you so much for considering donating today. Checks may be mailed to Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance, P. O. Box 83, Charlotte, VT 05445.

Donated food drop-off locations
All nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (main entrance) or at the Food Shelf during the distribution mornings. We request that all fresh foods be dropped off at the Food Shelf before the Wednesday distribution hours or before 7:30 a.m. on the Thursday distribution mornings.

Thank you
Thank you for the 30 pounds of fresh cucumbers from Emily Donegan. Thank you to our anonymous donor who purchased and donated kids clothing for a family in need. And thank you to our book fairy for the generous donation of children’s books. Rick Kerschner shared his fresh Klapp pears and supplied the Food Shelf with a bushel of beautiful fruit.

The Shelburne Market and Green Mt. Coffee are continuing their support by offering coffee at the deli coffee bar for a suggested donation of 75 cents (small) and $1.25 (large). We would like to thank Shelburne Market and all the coffee drinkers who are sending their donations to our local food shelves.

The Vermont Foodbank order for September filled the freezer with hot dogs, chicken and California Blend Veggies along with nonperishables totaling 873 pounds.

We look forward to your continued donations of fresh garden veggies.

Grange Sale
The Food Shelf will be partnering again this year with the Charlotte Grange to provide winter outerwear for the children in need in our community. We’ll be collecting new or gently used boots, hats, gloves, jackets and ski/snow pants for young children through adult sizes. Families in need are offered these items at no cost. We will be outfitting about 27 kids this year. You may bring donations to the town library until such time the Grange begins collections. Grange collection times and locations to be announced.

The Food Shelf supplied six children with backpacks this fall for the new school year. In addition, we are continuing the Shoe In program in partnership with CCS to provide gift certificates for students in need of gym shoes.

Wish list
We appreciate donations of healthy after-school snacks for children, such as dried fruit, granola bars, instant oatmeal packs, butter-free popcorn, salt-free nuts, canned fruit in juice, peanut butter, juice boxes (no sugar added), low-sugar cereals and low-sodium soups.

New Facebook Page
“Like” us at our new Facebook page Charlotte Community Food Shelf and Assistance to see photos and get updates on all the Food Shelf activities.

For more information
The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are posted on the bulletin board in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall. You may also call the Food Shelf number at (802) 425-3252) for a recording of the distribution times.

We are open to all community residents. Privacy is very important and respected in our mission of neighbor helping neighbor. For emergency food call John at (802) 425-3130. For emergency assistance (electricity, fuel) call Cindi at (802) 425-3234. For more information call Karen at (802) 425-3252.

Important Upcoming 2017 Charlotte Food Shelf Distribution Dates
Wednesdays, Sept. 20, Oct.11 and 25, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursdays, Sept. 21, Oct. 12 and 26, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.