Karen runs the Worcester Community Kitchen and Food Shelf in Worcester, VT. With your help and Karen’s love and dedicated service, help is there for people in central Vermont struggling with hunger. After volunteering at the Vermont Foodbank, here’s what she had to say:
“While bringing a group of volunteers to the Foodbank this morning, I told them this place was like Disneyland to me. Of course, I got some strange looks, so I went on to explain. The Vermont Foodbank is like Disney to me, because of all the happiness contained inside. It is truly a happy place for me. I run a community lunch and a food shelf, so upon seeing this place, in my mind, I see all the happy people and hear the grateful stories of what it means to receive food.
In my town of a little more than 1,000 residents, on average 100 people show up to share a meal at noon every Wednesday. On average we serve 48 families each month with supplemental/emergency food from our food shelf. I have heard the desperate voices, seen the tears of their struggles and the gratitude of having a way to feed their family with good, nutritious food. What gets better than that?
For the first time in my life, I have experienced food insecurity through the eyes of others. Being part of the Foodbank, as a network partner and a mentor that brings volunteers to the Foodbank, I am proud to share my excitement with them, it is a great feeling. Thus, for me, going to the Foodbank is like a trip to Disneyland!”
In Bennington and Rutland counties, BROC Community Action has developed programs to make it easier for neighbors to put together nourishing holiday meals. Turkey tickets, a Holiday Shop, and creative thinking are filling pantries this holiday season thanks to help from you.
Across the state, the Foodbank is sharing recipes and cooking demonstrations with visitors at fresh produce distributions. Together, we’re making sure more people in Vermont can bring home the fresh food they want and need, along with information on how to prepare and enjoy it.
Tara is a holistic nutrition consultant and a trained chef from Montpelier, who also offers postpartum support to mothers in Vermont. She’s a single mom, has her own business, and volunteers in her community serving food to unhoused neighbors. And she has faced food insecurity over the last 20 years. She has shared her experience with us to help build awareness of food insecurity.
