BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) – Volunteers across the state are calling on Vermonters to help in any way they can ahead of the holidays and how one small donation can go a long way to feed people dealing with food insecurity.
Volunteers in Barre packed bags with pasta, peanut butter, canned soup, and other non-perishable items Thursday to make sure nobody goes hungry this holiday season.
“The true spirit of this event is neighbors helping neighbors,” said TJ Michaels with Central Vermont Salvation Army, who along with other volunteers was working to Pack the Pantry at the Market 32. He says there is a greater need right now. “We understand that the dollar that you have in your pocket doesn’t go as far as it did last year or the year before. It’s about taking one can off of your shelf and placing it on another.”
For the last 23 years, the goal has been to fill a 53-foot truck with food to be donated to the Salvation Army food shelf. Volunteers will be collecting donations until 3 p.m. Saturday.
Ahead of Thanksgiving, people also lined up at Feeding Champlain Valley in Burlington on Thursday to collect items for a holiday meal.
Those picking up food say they’re grateful for the extra help this time of year. “In reality, seeing that someone’s situation might be even worse than your own… So, that one turkey matters,” said Shawna Bishop of Shelburne.
The organization’s Anna McMahon says they’ve collected more than 400 turkeys so far. By the end of the holiday season, they hope to feed at least 10,000 people across the state. “People are having to really change the way they’re spending money. We want people to feel a part of the community and worthy of getting those basic needs,” she said.