Food Shelf News

Volunteers from the Charlotte Food Shelf attended the second annual statewide hunger conference in Montpelier. On March 26, volunteers, legislators and state officials gathered at “Fighting Hunger Feeding Hope,” organized by the Vermont Foodbank in partnership with Food Works, the Vermont Department of Health, the Governor’s Task Force on Hunger, BlueCross BlueShield of VT, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Salvation Farms and America’s Second Harvest.
More than 150 advocates came together to get a sense of the problem across the state. Workshops were held in the morning and the Governor’s Task Force held a field hearing in the afternoon. Below are some of the comments and concerns that echoed throughout the day:
“People should feel no social stigma about going to a food shelf; it’s just neighbor helping neighbor.”
“We are seeing new families showing up at our Food Shelf. They are nervous because they are asking for assistance for the very first time. Many are dual-income families who now cannot make ends meet.”
“Poverty can be a full time job … because hunger is not an isolated problem; it is interrelated with the other things in our cultures. If one thing happens — a family member needs medical treatment or their car breaks down — it throws their budget into a tizzy.”
“Many folks can not afford to transport themselves to the food shelf because gasoline has become so expensive.”
The Feinstein $1 Million Challenge to Help Fight Hunger is still in full swing until the end of April. A portion of all donations collected by April 30 will be matched by this challenge grant. If you would like to help end hunger in our community, please send your financial donation to: The Charlotte Food Shelf, 3319 Mt. Philo Road, Charlotte, Vermont 05445 c/o Karen Doris, Food Shelf Director.

Thanking acts of kindness
The Charlotte Food Shelf is fortunate to be in a community where there is an emphasis on neighbor helping neighbor. Included in each Food Shelf update there is a list of folks being thanked for their acts of kindness. If we ever miss the opportunity to thank you, please know that your contributions are greatly appreciated!
Many thanks to Girl Scout Troop #698 for donating $40 from cookie sales at Town Meeting along with a big case of cookies! Thanks to everyone at CCS for helping to fill up the Feinstein Food Box by the front office. Thanks to Louisa and Anna Schibli for delivering groceries collected at the Charlotte Library, to Carrie Spear for donating cases of noodles, and to Nathan Stetson who organized a food drive for the Boy Scouts.
Thanks to the Lazar family for donating 16 bags of groceries to the Food Shelf. Thanks to the following folks for their financial donations: Deb Stone, Rayelen Prouty Moore, David Tanzer, Lori Bottom, and Michael and Margret Lazar and daughters.
Thanks to The Charlotte News for publishing the food shelf Updates, to the Shelburne Supermarket coffee station and to everyone who buys hot coffee, tea or cocoa there — one hundred percent of the money goes to purchase food for our neighbors in need. Thanks to the members of the Charlotte Congregational Church and the Mt. Carmel Catholic Church for organizing food and financial donation drives for the Feinstein Challenge.
Two friends of the food shelf passed away during this last year. J and R; both of you kind gentlemen are missed.

Are you feeling a financial crunch?
Do you need emergency food? If so, please come to the Charlotte Food Shelf and take advantage of the wonderful stock of food. Some of the items available are peanut butter, jelly, juice, cereal, pasta, fruit, vegetables, meat, milk and cheese. The Food Shelf is located on the lower level of the Charlotte Congregational Church vestry on Church Hill Road. Enter through the back door of the vestry building. For more information call Karen (425-3252), Sue (425-3526) or Lynn (425-3101). Service is confidential.

New extended hours
The food shelf will be open from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the following Thursday mornings: April 17, May 1, 15 and 29, June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24, August 14 and 28, September 11 and 25. If you are unable to get transportation to the Food Shelf, please give us a call so we can assist.
Food Facts:
Red and green cabbage are excellent sources of Vitamin C, making them a natural immune booster. Also high in sulfur, cabbage is great for colon health. Cabbage is delicious shredded in raw salads, steamed, or stir-fried. Whole cabbage should be stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to keep it fresh and help it retain its vitamin C content.