Brittany and Clint’s budget doesn’t cover special holiday meals. As parents, it feels bad when they can’t provide their kids with the festive food that other families seem to take for granted. Thanks to donors like you, their family was able to celebrate with a turkey—and all the trimmings—this year.
This past year, as the holidays began to roll around, Brittany wasn’t sure her family would be able to celebrate in a traditional way. Brittany and her husband Clint both work, and they still struggle to make ends meet. They stretch every dollar to make sure their two boys have enough to eat—even if that sometimes means going without heat and special holiday meals.
“Holiday meals are expensive,” Brittany says, “and they’re not in our budget. I knew we would eat on those days, but I was planning on serving grilled cheese sandwiches or spaghetti. I’ve never been able to buy a turkey.”
But because of generous supporters like you, there was more than grilled cheese on Brittany’s table this holiday season.
“For Christmas and Thanksgiving this year, we got to eat meat, and it was such a luxury!” Brittany exclaims. “We also got cranberries, potatoes, pumpkin pie…My son was so excited and kept saying, ‘I love turkey!’ There was something so magical about being able to sit at the dinner table with my family and enjoy that holiday meal.”
By keeping food shelves and meal sites stocked with fresh foods and pantry staples, you help make sure that families and neighbors across Vermont have the food they need, when they need it—and that everyone can celebrate with a delicious meal.
“I’m grateful,” says Brittany. “It’s been such a huge blessing.”
You can help make sure that fresh foods like meat, fruits, and veggies remain available at food shelves and meal sites around Vermont. Visit www.vtfoodbank.org/give to make a gift today.
* Photo substituted to protect privacy.
Denise is the manager at Sid’s Pantry, one of the 220+ food shelves and meal sites that make up the Vermont Foodbank network. In between visits from neighbors picking up food, Denise talks about how her own experiences with food insecurity influence the ways she supports her community.
Vermont experienced catastrophic floods in July and December 2023 that damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure across the state. In 2024, the state experienced flooding again. Here’s how recent flooding[...]
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.
