Food Shelf News – Oct. 17, 2019

A big thank you to all those who donated gently used children’s winter outerwear to the Charlotte Grange rummage sale. Cindi Robinson reported on the great quality of this clothing, including several pairs of boots that were brand new. As a great example of community units working together, the Grange, instead of selling any of this clothing to fund their own needs, donated it to the Food Shelf. On behalf of the children, we extend a big thank you to the Grange and to the people who donated the clothing.
Thank you to Bill Doris who was at the Food Shelf to receive the generous donation of Birgit Deeds, who offered a large box of assorted meat and frozen vegetables.

More expressions of gratitude are in order: Valerie Graham provided lots of fresh squash, eggplant and cucumbers, and Patricia O’Donnell and Jim Donovan gave five bushels of beautiful Macoun and golden delicious apples.

Thank you to the gardeners young and not-quite-as-young at the library and Charlotte Central School for their contribution of healthy vegetables.
Thank you to Ascension Lutheran Church for five cases of Reach Out Meals, easy-to-prepare food for working families.

We extend a thank you for the gift of financial contributions from Anne Castle, Ron Manganiello and Ellen Bernstein, Joseph Dickerman, Janet Morrison, Beth and Edd Merritt.

Thank you to the Charlotte Senior Center for offering space for the Food Self annual meeting. This meeting offers a joyous annual meet-up for the many volunteers who make things happen throughout the year. For starters, we were reminded of the official reorganization of the Food Shelf. Since the end of last year Charlotte Food Shelf Inc. is a nonprofit membership organization, and all donations are still tax deductible. Membership includes people interested in the objectives and purposes for which the corporation was formed.

Our mission statement is simple and direct: Charlotte Food Shelf Inc. is a non-profit striving to provide nutritious food to those in need residing in Charlotte, Vermont, or North Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Current officers are Nancy Bloch, Karen Doris, Peter Richardson, Cindi Robinson, Michael Russell, Peggy Sharpe and Cindy Tyler.

This team heads up the activities of several dozen volunteers: people who figure out what supplies are needed, people who travel to various venues to get these supplies, people who distribute supplies on four days each month, people who keep supplies in order on the shelves and in the freezer, a baking coordinator, someone to write thank you notes, two church pastors and assistants—not to mention people who respond to emergency needs. It takes a lot of people of good will and helping hands to keep the wheels on the bus rolling, and it was gratifying to get together and hold hands—quite literally—with so many at this annual event. Thank you, Rev. Goldenbogen, for the warm launch of our meeting.

Holidays
Yes, if you hadn’t already noticed the Christmas cards appearing in stores in August, please take note that the holidays are coming. Families will be registering for holiday baskets during distribution dates October 23/24 and November 13/14.

Important distribution dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church
Wednesdays, October 23, November 13: 5:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.
Thursdays, October 24, November 14: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Thanksgiving basket schedule
Thursday, November 21, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Table setup
Friday, November 22, 7:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m. Basket setup
Saturday, November. 23, Thanksgiving basket pickup, 1:000 a.m.–noon

Financial assistance
As a reminder, the Food Shelf has some funds available for emergency assistance with fuel and electric bills. You may contact Pat Rodar at (802) 425-3083 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 Pat at (802) 425-3083.

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 and/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. Yes, donations are tax-deductible.

Checks may be mailed to Charlotte Food Shelf & Assistance, P.O. Box 83, Charlotte, VT 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 expiration dates. 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.

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.