Coming together as a community to support local food shelf

No matter how you may feel about the state of the union these days, one thing we Charlotters have in common is that we have always come together as a community to support our local food shelf. And in this time of thanksgiving, we are thankful to know that we can continue to count on you all in the days to come.

Currently, the Charlotte Food Shelf capital board is busy launching a campaign to raise funds in support of its mission to provide food and other assistance to those who need it. As part of the campaign, volunteers will be reaching out to the community with printed materials and electronically, so keep your eyes peeled.

Just so you know, the number of people seeking assistance has increased and prices have risen. Last year, the food shelf spent almost $67,000, and this number is only expected to rise moving forward. Thank you so much for your help, and please keep it coming.

Remember, the food shelf is run 100 percent by volunteers. There are no paid employees and minimal administrative and overhead expenses. It is a nonprofit striving to provide nutritious food to residents of Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh, supported by the Charlotte Congregational Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and the Charlotte community.

Currently, there are over 40 volunteers who handle such duties as food procurement, purchasing, distribution, emergency requests, publicity, thank-you notes, accounting, collaboration with Charlotte Central School, special holiday programs, backpack and school supplies program, winter clothing, the Charlotte Central School Shoe-In program, our assistance program and more.

Basically, the food shelf is one relatively small entity doing a big job trying to make the world a better place. With lots of help from the community, it has been doing that for over 30 years, and with your continued support, it will continue to do that in the months and years to come.

One big piece of news: The clothing drive is over. Food shelf volunteers are so grateful to the Grange for its generous help with this important endeavor. The Grange collected an abundance of winter wear for food shelf children, and the food shelf assistance program supplemented with boots, jackets and snowpants that were still needed. All in all, volunteers are happy to report that the kids will be warmly outfitted for the winter months ahead. It was a giant cooperative effort that succeeded thanks to the Grange and all who contributed or helped in any way.

Local farmers’ donations were also greatly appreciated this year. The food shelf was fortunate to receive a bounty of squash and potatoes from a generous neighbor at our last distribution in October. It was a most welcome and pleasant surprise at the very end of our growing season. The food shelf would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the following who donated: Waitsfield Telecom, Richard and Theresa Pete, Kathleen Nolan, Jocelyn Schermerhorn and Lisa Crispin. We also received a lovely donation from Sustainable Charlotte.

As part of our Thanksgiving distribution, community members traditionally donate home-baked goods for us to include in our giving. Holly Rochefort is coordinating this effort again this year. (Thank you, Holly.) Specifics about donating baked goods will be posted on Front Porch Forum.

Reminder: There be a regular distribution Saturday, Nov. 16, 9-11 a.m. Thanksgiving holiday pickup is Saturday, Nov. 23.

The following donations of non-perishables are always helpful: snack foods, condiments, sugar, dish detergent and shampoo. Please bring donated items 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday distribution dates or call to arrange a drop-off time.

Food is provided at 403 Church Hill Road, in the basement of the Charlotte Congregational Church on the second and fourth Wednesday (4-6 p.m.) and second and fourth Saturday (9-11 a.m.) of each month. For all other inquiries, call 802-425-2402. 

Charlotte Food Shelf and Assistance also provides limited utility, rent, medical, dental, school supply and other emergency assistance to residents of Charlotte and North Ferrisburgh. If you or someone you know is facing unexpected hardship, help is available. Call 802-425-2402 or fill out a request form. Request forms are available during food shelf open hours or on our website.

With the coming of colder months, monetary donations are much appreciated to help families with heat and other utility bills. Tax-deductible donations can be addressed to: Charlotte Food Shelf, Inc. P.O. Box 83, Charlotte Vt. 05445. An easy way to donate is through the PayPal button on the website address listed above.