Dedicated To Her Community

This month we’re highlighting Laural Ruggles, a dedicated volunteer and former Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) VeggieVanGo site coordinator, from the Northeast Kingdom.

For Laural, love of her community is at the heart of why she volunteers. “This is my community. I didn’t grow up here but I’ve lived here since I was a teenager (over 40 years!). I feel it is my responsibility to contribute in as many ways and as often as I can to make the NEK a great place for all who live here to be healthy and thrive,” shared Laural.

Laural’s dedication to her community has been on full display at the NVRH VeggieVanGo, where she served as longtime site coordinator and now volunteer, and has been key to this event’s longtime success. “VeggieVanGo was a way to work closely with the team at the Vermont Foodbank to provide fresh produce to people who may need some help to stretch their food budgets to add nutritious food,” Laural shared. Even after retiring from NVRH, Laural has remained a committed volunteer at the NVRH VeggieVanGo, sharing her humor and love of community at each month’s event.

For Laural, volunteering is an important way to form connection with people in the community, whether it’s with other volunteers or with VeggieVanGo visitors. Laural says, “I look forward to seeing and speaking to people coming to the VeggieVanGo every month,” said Laural. “Can’t wait to see them and hear what they’ve been doing, especially during the pandemic- great to see they’ve fared well.”

The Foodbank is so grateful to Laural and the entire NVRH VeggieVanGo community for making such a difference in the Northeast Kingdom.