Food Shelf News – Jan. 9, 2019

Charlotte Community Food Shelf and Assistance. Photo contributed.

The December holidays already seem like a long time ago, but we want to send special thanks for the kindness that abounds in our community. As Food Shelf coordinator Karen Doris notes, we take pride in the fact that the Food Shelf has no need to spend money on fundraising.

First, thank you to the people who helped fill the special holiday boxes: Laura Iglehart, Stephanie Wells, Carol Chenevert, Sue Hall, Lynn Cluff, Nina Falsen, Holly Rochefort, Liz Anderson, Cindy and Toby Tyler, Alaina Murphy, Jon Davis, Garrett Sadler, Liz Foster, Karen and Bill Doris, Suzanne Ferland, John Lavigne, Pat Rodar, Nan Mason, Anne Carter Mahaffey, Ted LeBlanc, Kerrie Pughe, Cindi Robinson, Nanci Bloch and Peggy Sharpe.

Thank you to the Thompson’s Point Walkers for their donation of baked cookies; to the Hunger is Hard (Baking is Easy) group; to Wow Toyz for their most generous gift to each child, infant to 18 years old. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beck for their continued support over the years to all the children.

We send out a New Year’s thank you to people who offered special financial support: Toni and Robert Monsey, the Shelburne-Charlotte Garden Club, Rice Lumber, Jeannette Thibault, Jeffrey and Irene Horbar, Henri Proutt, Carleen Tufo, Anne Castle and Charlotte Organic COOP, American Endowment Foundation, Christopher and Susanne Davis, Barbara Lawrence, Janet Morrison, Trudy Gecewicz Jordan.

A special thanks to the good neighbors of Crosswind Road who got together to share a generous impulse with individual donations: Kathleen and William Posey, Myron and Leonore Sopher, Mark and Eleanor Capeless, Jen and Larry Sudbay, Karen and David Hurwitt, John and Carolyn Kovac, Heather and John Dwight and Lell Forehand.

I’d also like to acknowledge the people, who responded to my Front Porch Forum appeal for holiday box packers. They told me if more help was needed, they’d drop other plans and get there—even take time off from work.

Stop a moment and think about our special community filled with people ever eager to reach out a helping hand. And then, take a close look at Fred Rogers. As one of America’s most beloved children’s show hosts, Mr. Rogers remains an iconic television figure for families worldwide. A documentary takes a close-up at the person behind the show, persona and personality that helped define what it meant to be a good person and be a part of a healthy community. The film, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is rated 98 percent at Rotten Tomatoes and is available at the Charlotte Library.

Distribution dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church:
Wednesdays, Jan. 9, 23: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursdays, Jan. 10, 24: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Financial assistance
As a reminder, the Food Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and electric bills. You may contact Cindi at (802) 425-3234 if you need assistance.

We are available 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

Donations
We are a volunteer organization, so all donations you make to the Food Shelf go directly for food or assistance to our local neighbors in need. Should you wish to honor someone with a donation, a special acknowledgement will be sent to that person. Checks may be mailed to: Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance, PO Box 83, Charlotte, Vermont 05445. Thank you.

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. Please check the expiration date. 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.

Baked goods for the Hunger is Hard (Baking is Easy) group can be dropped off on the Wednesday distribution dates by noon at the Congregational Church or at Holly Rochefort’s house at 86 Spear Street, where a bin sits on the porch.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry. Distribution days/times are posted on bulletin boards in the Charlotte Congregational Church Hall, at the Charlotte Library and at the Charlotte Senior Center. You may also call the Food Shelf at (802) 425-3252 for a recording of the distribution times.