This is a guest post from our friends at Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. Vermont Foodbank supporters for the past 13 years, they have steadily increased their staff involvement and financial investment in the fight against hunger and we are delighted to have them join us in alleviating hunger in Vermont.

We are thrilled to have been invited to guest blog for the Vermont Foodbank! We have been involved with the Foodbank for many years and continue to be impressed with and supportive of their ambitious efforts to help feed our fellow Vermonters.

A little about us: over 185 years ago, the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company became the first insurance company founded in the state of Vermont. We’ve grown quite a bit since those early days. Today, through more than 400 independent agents, we serve over 285,000 policyholders throughout New England and New York. As a company, we exist to protect our policyholders, but we’re also fortunate enough to be able to help organizations, like the Vermont Foodbank.

For many years Vermont Mutual has been pleased to contribute to our communities, in the form of both volunteerism and financial contributions. We are indeed fortunate that the success of Vermont Mutual over the past several decades has allowed us to establish the Vermont Mutual Insurance Group Charitable Giving Fund as a permanent vehicle for philanthropic service.

In addition to financial contributions to the Foodbank, we’ve enthusiastically volunteered at their Barre location. Volunteering at the Foodbank is not only a great way to help Vermont families, but we find that we also benefit greatly from the experience as well. While ever cognizant of the important work at hand, we can’t help but have a good time doing so. The camaraderie and good will among our fellow employees while we assist the Foodbank is quite infectious!

During our most recent visit to the Foodbank, we were asked to assist with their “Backpack” program. This worthy program provides nutritious, kid-friendly, food to children in need. In addition to the direct assistance the backpack program offers, we are impressed with the Foodbank’s desire to eliminate any stigma a child might experience receiving assistance. To avoid this possibility, the food children receive is placed into their backpacks while students are out of the classroom. It’s this type of generous and empathetic form of aid that attracted us to the Vermont Foodbank.

In addition to the Foodbank, Vermont Mutual has contributed to the Committee on Temporary Shelter Serving Vermont (COTS), Prevent Child Abuse-Vermont, Professional Firefighters of VT, Boys and Girls Club of Burlington and many other worthwhile organizations. And while Vermont Mutual is pleased to offer volunteer opportunities for our employees during working hours, many volunteer on their own time, after hours and on weekends. Such is the dedicated spirit of Vermont Mutual and it’s employees!

We look forward to having Vermont Mutual employees back for a volunteer day – their red t-shirts and eager attitudes are infectious to us too! We also want to thank them for their financial support of the Vermont Foodbank. Their gifts help us provide meals to 153,000 Vermonters statewide.

Learn more about Vermont Mutual.