The food shelf provides assistance in addition to food

Many may not know that the Charlotte Food Shelf’s “real name” is the Charlotte Food Shelf and Assistance. The assistance portion of our work includes limited utility, rent, medical, dental, school supplies and other emergency assistance available to residents of Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh.

If you or someone you know is facing unexpected hardship, help may be available. Simply call 802-425-3252 or fill out a request form to apply. Request forms are available during food shelf open hours or on our website.

In addition, the shoe-in program helps to finance athletic shoes needed for gym floors in the grade and high school buildings. Students or their parents should contact their school counsellor, who can liaison with the food shelf for these requests.

The food shelf continues its ongoing effort to combat hunger. The number of families the food shelf is assisting has risen, reflecting the fact that one third of Vermonters struggle with food insecurity. We have added two distribution days per month. Food is provided at 403 Church Hill Road, behind the Charlotte Congregational Church, 4-6 p.m., on the second and fourth Wednesday, and 9-11 a.m., on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

For emergency food, or if you cannot come to the food shelf due to illness, call 802- 425-3252.

As we transition into spring, the food shelf is hopeful for sun, good crops and that “those who grow, plant a row” for food shelf families. Donations from community gardeners, such as spinach, lettuce or green beans, play a vital role in ensuring a supply of nutritious, fresh food, and the food shelf is grateful for these.

This wonderful community continues its generous support. Delicious Stewart’s Bread has been delivered monthly for years and has been very much enjoyed by all our families. We thank Stewart’s Bakery and their employees. The Repair Café put on by Sustainable Charlotte was a huge success and we thank all those who participated, including Kathleen Bushey, John Hammer, Lynn and Greg Cluff, Dean Leary and Donna Frazier-Leary, Judith Tuttle, Zechariah Gardner and Jaina Clough, as well as anonymous donors.

Donations in memory of Louise McCarren from M. Kraus and Brooke Taylor Mossman were gratefully received. We appreciate Amy Henry, Meg Berlin, Jocelyn Schermerhorn, Deborah Cook for their monetary donations; John Siedlecki for his monthly donations of King Arthur flour; and the anonymous community members who have dropped off canned goods and other nonperishables to fill the Little Free Pantry. We are honored to accept donations from Ann and Alan Charron and Kate and Bill Schubart in memory of Louise McCarren and Ed Amidon.

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.

The following donations of unexpired food and paper products are always very helpful: creamy peanut butter, snack bars, coffee, condiments, crackers, canned soups, spaghetti sauce, breakfast cereals, toilet paper and paper towels.