Food Shelf News – Nov. 14, 2019

As the holidays approach, we offer a special thanks to baking coordinator Holly Rochefort and members of her wonderful baking crew who contribute every month to the Hunger is Hard, Baking is Easy program. With snow on the ground, think about how some baking will warm up your kitchen—and your heart. We welcome your contributions, which can be dropped off directly at the Congregational Church or at 86 Spear Street in the box on the front porch. The new 2019-2020 schedule is out and includes information on packaging and labeling. If you have any questions or concerns about how much or what to bake, or if you would like to receive a copy of the schedule, please contact Holly Rochefort.

The feedback for these goodies has been fantastic—favorites include cookies and muffins. We are finding that six pieces per bag/plate is the perfect number. Many people are conscious of food waste and want to take “just enough”—and this just means the baking can go even further! Thank you to everyone who has participated. Let’s continue to spread the love (and the goodies)!

We extend a thank you for the gifts of financial contributions from The Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC; also thank you to Cynthia Marshall, Anne Castle, Christine Stiller, Hank and Josephine Kaestner, and to Louise McCarren in honor of her brother Mike Moroney’s birthday.

Important distribution dates at the Charlotte Congregational Church:

November schedule
Wednesday November 13: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday November 14: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 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, 10:00 a.m. – noon

December Schedule
Food Shelf Regular Distribution
Wednesday December 11, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Holiday Basket Schedule
Thursday, December 19, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Table set up
Friday, December 20, 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Basket/toy box set up
Saturday, December 21, Holiday basket pickup, 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

We would note that the Thanksgiving table setup on November 21 and the table setups in December are very busy times, and we are grateful for people thinking of their own meals and at the same time enjoying this occasion of spreading the bounty across the town. These table setups are joyful occasions.

We are always grateful for the huge community effort involving so many people, organizations and neighborhoods. Special thanks to Charlotte Central School staff, students, parents and coordinator Kristen Gerson for their continued work in preparing special items for the Thanksgiving and holiday baskets. Getting children involved in such a worthy endeavor of learning by doing builds citizenship skills critical to our community.
Thank you to the Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary for supplying turkeys for Thanksgiving and hams for the holiday baskets.

Giving Trees
The Giving Trees, decorated with each kid’s wish, will be up at the Charlotte Congregational Church and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel the weekend after Thanksgiving. Giving Tree shoppers should return gifts on or before December 15.

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 (8902) 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, 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 number at (802) 425-3252 for a recording of the distribution times.