Community Helps Spread Holiday Cheer via the Charlotte Food Shelf

As white December snowflakes fell upon the frozen ground, the Charlotte Food Shelf was showered with a warmth that comes with kindness and giving.

We are so thankful for the multitude of individuals, community groups and businesses that rose to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our community this holiday.

On Friday December 21, dozens of volunteers shared their precious time to enable the Food Shelf to be the conduit for the flow of generosity that comes forth during this giving time. Thank you to the following people for setting up 22 holiday food and gift baskets: Betty and Frank Ryan, Lisa Sturtevant, Bill Doris, Mary Volk, Eileen Schilling, Lynda Moureau, Kerrie Pughe, Seth Zimmerman, Maj Eisinger, Barb Zimmerman, Bonnie Duke, Lynn Alpeter, Sue Hall, Karen Doris, Jill Lowrey, Jeff Martin, Patrice Machavern, Meredith Moses, Mira Bedard, Bethany Bedard, Elijah Mount-Finette, Robbie Stanley, Phyllis Kroll, Sheila Shuell, Louise Fouibah, Bob and Robin Turnau, Heather Manning, Jill Lowrey, Gayle Gardner and Samantha Bottom–Tanzer.

All of the above volunteers send a big Thank You to everyone who contributed to this effort by way of the holiday toy boxes, the giving trees, food drives, gift certificates, financial donations and more.

Because of the overwhelming support from the whole community, the holiday food and gift baskets were filled with health and happiness.

Thanks to all of the students, parents and staff at CCS for participating in the food and toy drive during December. Many thanks to Kris Gerson and Lynn Cluff at CCS for organizing the food drive and decorating the boxes; and to Patti Tomashot, Diane Downer, Jane Akin, Naomi Stada and the Post Office for helping with the toy drive; and to the middle school students for loading the heavy boxes into cars. Thanks to Mira and Bethany Bedard for organizing the holiday toy drive; to WoW Toyz in Vergennes for donating toys for all ages; to Eileen Schilling and Horsford Garden and Nursery for donating Christmas wreaths; and to Four Seasons Nursery for donating poinsettias.

Thanks to the Shelburne/Charlotte Rotary for donating turkeys; to the CVU Art Club and teacher Emily Mitchell for designing beautiful hand-blocked holiday cards; and to Boy Scout Troop #615 and Troop Master Ray Curtis for creating heartwarming holiday cards. Thanks to Girl Scout Troop #698 for making fantastic fleece scarves; to Troop #30923 for making tasty treats; and to the Our Lady of Mount Carme’sl religious education children for decorating the ornaments for the Giving Trees. Thanks to Chloe Judge for reporting FS news to the CCS newsletter. Thanks to James Lawrence from Microcosm and Eating Well Magazine for donating wall calendars. Thanks to Spears Corner Store, the Charlotte Grange, SCHIPS, Karen Spiedel, Marilyn Holmberg, Sharon Weaver, Jane Becker, and Meredith Moses for their ongoing support and volunteer hours.

Below is a continuation of our Thank-You list to people and organizations who made financial donations to the Food Shelf this holiday season. Many thanks to Matthew and Luke Metz and family, Tim and Mary Volk, Nancy Barnes, Cedar Cowles, Sebastian and Judith Pugliese, Robbie and John Stanley, Patrice and David Machavern, Paula and Peter Joslin, Peg and Joe Blanchette, Greg Bedard, Donna and Remo Pizzagelli, Frederick and Barbara Anderson, the Leckerling family, Deborah Cook, Leslie and Junior Lewis, Elizabeth Poulin, Jim and Kathy Manchester, Edorah Frazer and Michael Rubin, and for the gift made in honor of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Wood.

Many thanks to the Shelburne Supermarket, the Charlotte Congregational Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church for the ongoing support both financially and with the giving of time and space.

The Food Shelf is run completely by busy volunteers. If we missed the opportunity to thank you, please know that your contribution made a big difference in our community and was hugely appreciated!

Do you need emergency food? Come to the Charlotte Food Shelf. It’s located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry and will be open from 8-9 a.m. on the following Thursdays: January 10 and 24, February 7 and 21, March 6 and 20. For more information call Karen at 425-3252, Lynn at 425-3101 or Sue at 425-3526.