So much thanks to give for this generous community
We have much to be thankful for. This community is sustained by the generosity of its members.
Twenty-three families received Thanksgiving baskets, which were the fruit of combined donations of time, money and food.
We thank the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary members Carrie Fenn, Dan York and Chris Davis for fundraising and their generous donation of a turkey for each basket, Louise McCarren for fresh fruit, Pete Demick for raw honey, and Holly Rochefort and all the Charlotte bakers who supplied scrumptious baked goods.
Special thanks are due to the amazing Charlotte Central School teachers, staff and students who communicated needs, shopped and delivered food items to make these bountiful baskets, as well as to the Champlain Valley Union High student volunteers who packed baskets before delivering them to waiting families. This was a beautiful team effort.
We are grateful for monetary gifts from Meredith and Peter Moses, Elizabeth Basset and John Pane, Evan and Catherine Metropoulos, the Charlotte Congregational Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Katherine Arthaud, Waitsfield Champlain Valley Telecom, Ruth Uphold, Ronda Moore DVM, Margaret Berlin, Suzanne Lourie, Steven Wisbaum, the Hannaford Fight Hunger Bag program, Rice Lumber, Cedar Beach Trust, Katherine Lampton, Kathryn and Robert Mesarro, Lynn and Greg Cluff, Michelle and Tom Tiller Family Foundation, the Michelle and Tom Tiller Family Foundation and the Cedar Beach Association.
We also thank Megan Kennedy from Frog Song Farm for her gift of chopped vegetables, Louise McCarren for generous quantities of fresh beef, Sustainable Charlotte for its gift of cash and canned goods garnered at the Repair Café, the Charlotte Congregational Sunday School kids who grew potatoes in the church garden, and the Congregational Church artisans who crafted the beautiful baby hats.
Produce obtained through the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters grant has also helped to augment delivery of fresh produce to food shelf families, while also supporting our state’s agricultural economy. This grant was awarded to the food shelf based on Peggy’s Sharp application to the Vermont Food Bank. The grant allowed the food shelf to purchase produce from local farmers, including berries from Adam’s Berry Farm and Pelkey’s Berry Farm, meat from Fat Cow Farm, and maple syrup from Pat Leclaire. The food shelf is thankful to the Vermont Food Bank and the state of Vermont for their commitment to innovative programs, and greatly appreciates the support, flexibility and generosity of the local producers that collaborated with us to make it so successful.
John Lavigne’s rich legacy lives on with donations to the food shelf given in his honor. We thank Sandra McLeod, Margaret Lavigne, Peg and Bill Harvey, Cheryl and Michael Morris, Virginia Hafsahl, Jennifer and Daniel Cole, Patricia Shine and Lori Werdenschlag, Sheila and Daniel Aube and Susan and Hans Ohanian for their generosity in remembrance of John.
As we look ahead to December, we note opportunities exist for supporting children served by the food shelf. Gift cards are always welcomed and can be sent to the address listed below. Children also get kind support from the Flying Pig Bookstore through their Snowflake Book Program. This allows Charlotters to select an age-appropriate book for any of the 19 children under the age of 18 years served by the food shelf. For those the food shelf has also identified some December needs which include: pineapple, baked beans, scalloped potatoes, brown sugar, apple juice or cider, nuts, candy and cake or brownie mix.
Important dates to remember:
Sunday, Dec. 10: Last day for Giving Tree Kid’s Wish Shoppers from the Charlotte Congregational Church and Our Lady of Mt Carmel to drop off your Kid’s gift. The families of the 19 children receiving a Wish Gift are grateful for your help to make a child’s wish possible.
Monday, Dec. 11: Last day for Charlotters to purchase a book for donation through the Snowflake Book Program at the Flying Pig Bookstore.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 4-6 p.m.: Regular distribution
Friday, Dec. 15: Volunteers pick up food baskets from Charlotte Central School and deliver them to Food Shelf
Saturday, Dec. 16: Holiday basket distribution
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 4-6 p.m.: Regular distribution
As winter again visits us, please note that the food shelf has utility and other assistance available to residents of Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh. If you or someone you know is facing unexpected hardship, help is available. Simply call 802-425-3252 or fill out a request form. Request forms are available during food shelf open hours or on our website.
Our address is 403 Church Hill Road, behind the Charlotte Congregational Church. For emergency food or if you cannot come to the food shelf due to COVID symptoms, call 802- 425- 3252.
Monetary donations are appreciated, tax deductible and can be addressed to: Charlotte Food Shelf, Inc., P.O Box 83, Charlotte VT 05445. An easy, new way to donate is through the Paypal button on the website address listed above.
All the food shelf volunteers wish you a joyous holiday season.