Camaraderie, Dedication, and Love: Supporting Neighbors During the Coronavirus

10,510. That’s how many meals 10 Foodbankers just packed on a Saturday at our Barre facility.

As a result of COVID-19 the need for accessible, nourishing food is increasing daily, staff are working long hours, and we’re shifting our business model on the fly. But there’s a spirit of camaraderie in the air, of dedication, loyalty, and love.

Here’s what Foodbanker Joshua had to say about the Saturday morning he spent packing food:

“In the back of my mind, each 15 to 35 pound box of food that I moved from conveyor belt to scale to pallet became a full belly for a Vermont child, a table laid out with a healthy meal for a family, and a package of staple food items for an older Vermonter living in a corner of our little state.

“Over the course of the day, what became clear to me was how much of a difference generosity and compassion for each other can and will make in this challenging time. This caring comes in the form of donated money, donated time, and donated food, and it all comes together on the floor of the warehouse, where it’s sorted, packed, shipped, and delivered to someone who may have gone to bed hungry were it not for the efforts of everyone involved. It’s an all-hands-on-deck time for Vermont right now. People are giving all that they can to make sure all of us come through this healthier and stronger than before.

“By the end of my shift, my arms hurt, my back hurt, and my feet hurt. My colleagues, I’m sure, felt the same way. But that’s a small price to pay for what I got out of the experience. Though we were six feet apart while we worked, and while many of you may be miles and miles from the Foodbank, I left my shift knowing that we are all standing shoulder to shoulder, supporting our neighbors, and caring for all of Vermont, and I’m grateful for that.”

These are challenging times, and there’s a long road ahead. Yet here at the Foodbank, we are witnessing the strength and beauty of the human spirit as our community comes together as never before.

We all play a role in keeping Vermont fed. Thanks for being there.

Support neighbors during this critical time, if you can. Give help.

Are you in need of help? We’re here. Get help.

Help get food to neighbors who need it. Volunteer.

We will continue to share updates on our response to COVID-19 as the situation evolves. You can find the latest information on our response on our Covid-19 Update page.