Gabriel and Constancia both had jobs getting food to older adults. When the two of them lost work due to the coronavirus, they found themselves in need of food assistance for the first time. And help was there, thanks to friends like you.
Gabriel and Constancia like to do almost everything together.
Up until March of 2020, they both worked for an organization that brought food to seniors. Constancia helped prepare the food, and Gabriel delivered it. “It is a joy to help others,” says Constancia.
When COVID-19 cases began to rise and people were told to shelter at home, they lost their jobs on the same day.
Gabriel has applied for unemployment multiple times, but there were issues with the paperwork.
“We have zero in the bank. We have no resources other than this place,” Gabriel says, about a food shelf they’ve been coming to since the end of last March. “It’s been a blessing to come here. It’s our grocery store.”
Thanks to the support of friends like you, food shelves have been able to remain stocked, and open, during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Gabriel adds that Constancia is a great cook. She makes Gabriel’s favorite American foods as well as dishes from the Philippines where she was born.
The couple, who have been married for six years, say they never needed food assistance before the pandemic.
“God has blessed us through the years,” Gabriel says. “We have a house over our heads and no medical problems.”
Gabriel says the pandemic has “been painful. It’s been a hard experience, but we stick together.”
It is because of caring community members, like you, that local food shelves can offer nourishing food and the ingredients people need in order to cook a variety of favorite dishes. A meal close to one’s heart can be a real comfort during difficult times — and essential when it comes to all of us staying healthy and strong.
Thank you for helping to make sure families and neighbors across Vermont have had enough to eat throughout the pandemic.
Support neighbors during this difficult 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.
The Montpelier Community Market—a Vermont Foodbank partner—and the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network are working together, with support from you, to ensure that families have access to favorite, familiar foods in all seasons.
Barney and Chris are the owners of Sunrise Orchards, a family-run apple farm in Cornwall that became a Vermont Foodbank donor in 2025, when Barney reached out to offer the Foodbank more than 120 bushels of Paula Red apples, ensuring more neighbors could have access to the tasty autumn treat.
When an injury left Emma out of work without medical leave, she needed help affording groceries—so she got in touch with Vermont Foodbank. Now, Emma’s giving back and sharing her experience to make sure people are aware that food help is available when someone needs it.
