Busy times at the Charlotte Food Shelf

Things were busy at the food shelf the Saturday morning before Thanksgiving. By noon, things had calmed down considerably. Shoppers had picked up most of the 26 pre-ordered Thanksgiving baskets, and thanks to early sign-up for staggered pick-up times, things went relatively smoothly this year.

In the food shelf pantry, a few individuals were doing some Thanksgiving shopping, carefully filling grocery bags with boxed juice, milk, rolls and coffee, along with some honey and large-sized squash donated by generous local farmers, while three volunteers stocked shelves, took inventory and answered shoppers’ questions.

Lindsay Landrigan, who has been volunteering at the Food Shelf since spring, explained that each Charlotte Central School grade was assigned a different food item to bring in to add to the food shelf Thanksgiving baskets. Lindsay said she has really enjoyed meeting other volunteers in her time volunteering at the food shelf, as well as families who shop there. She has two kids at Charlotte Central School and explained to them about how the items they were bringing into their classrooms would be added to baskets for families who don’t have enough this holiday.

“One son definitely wanted to keep the brownies, but was OK saying goodbye to the canned corn,” she said.

Avery Siket and Ceci Scriber, two Champlain Valley Union High students helping in the food pantry on Saturday, explained that they are part of CVU’s Volunteer Outreach Club, which connects students to volunteer opportunities in the community. Avery, a sophomore, said she has enjoyed her work on the Thanksgiving food drive. Her next gig will be as an elf at the Polar Express. Many, many CVU students helped both Thursday and Saturday with the Thanksgiving food drive, and we heartily thank them one and all.

While shoppers shopped in the pantry downstairs, a handful of food shelf volunteers were gathered upstairs. Sherri Browdy, who has been volunteering at the food shelf for nine months, learned about the opportunity through the Charlotte Congregational Church, where she is a member. It is important to her, as a relative newcomer to the area, to volunteer where she lives, to help “the actual people in my community; especially now, it is important to have meaningful impact right in front of you.”

Maria Blanchette, who has been with the food shelf for four years, found out about the work through a Front Porch Forum post asking for volunteers. During her time volunteering, a family once told her that it’s very difficult to be in need in such an affluent community

“We are trying to make that easier,” director Peggy Sharpe said.

Volunteer Lorraine Koffman said when she started volunteering, she was “blown away by the generosity in our community.” She said it is gratifying to see how shoppers “are so grateful, respectful and happy we are here.”

Besides the many volunteers who showed up for the Thanksgiving food drive, we would like to extend great thanks to the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary for donating turkeys for 25 families; and to Ebeth Scatchard, Christa Duthie-Fox, Mary Mead and Moe Harvey, who also donated turkeys. We also would like to thank Holly Rochefort, who coordinated yummy community baked goods; and Peter Demick, who provided delicious fresh honey for the baskets.

And thank-you to the teachers and classes of Charlotte Central School students, who provided nonperishable goods for the Thanksgiving baskets and created beautiful cards to make things extra special.

We add a general heartfelt thank you to those who donated squash and who brought in a generous myriad of miscellaneous food donations. Though we don’t know your names, you are on our gratitude list.

It is heartwarming indeed how many people pitched in to help make Thanksgiving so abundant this year. So much generosity from people of all ages. We can’t thank you all enough.

Moving forward, please note our holiday hours: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 9-11 a.m. Holiday distribution will be Saturday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Food is provided at 403 Church Hill Road, in the basement of the Charlotte Congregational Church on the second and fourth Wednesdays (4-6 p.m.) and Saturdays (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.

During these colder months, monetary donations are much appreciated to help our families with heat and other utility bills. Tax-deductible donations can be addressed to: Charlotte Food Shelf Inc., PO Box 83, Charlotte VT 05445. An easy way to donate is through the PayPal button on the website address listed above or via the QR code provided here.