All year long, supporters like you show up in inspiring ways. Maybe you give because someone you love uses Foodbank services. Or someone has delivered groceries to you when you needed them, or invited you to a meal at their table. Maybe you believe that access to enough nourishing food is a basic human right. Whatever your reason for giving, you are part of a generous group who demonstrates the belief that our communities thrive when we all thrive.
This month, we’re celebrating you and all the Foodbank supporters who have joined us on the journey of creating a food-secure Vermont by sharing part of a recent interview with friend and neighbor Sara. Sara lives in Hartford, is a monthly donor to Vermont Foodbank, and a regular volunteer at her local food shelf and shelter. Here’s what she has to say:
Vermont Foodbank: What inspires you to give to Vermont Foodbank? Why do you give?
Sara: Although I’ve known for a long time that many people in Vermont struggle to feed themselves and their families, it was when I volunteered at a local homeless shelter and food pantry that I came face-to-face with that reality. It was a deeply unsettling experience for me. The Vermont Foodbank is a critical partner in the effort to address the complex, outrageous fact that so many people simply don’t have enough to eat.
Vermont Foodbank: What are you grateful for in your community (however you definite your community)?
Sara: I am grateful to live in a community (both my neighborhood and the larger community of Vermont) where there is a fundamental commitment to the well-being of everyone. It’s a commitment that needs to be constantly protected and sustained both politically and personally. The Vermont Foodbank makes a difference in the lives of many, many people.
Vermont Foodbank: Gratitude is a big word—what significance does gratitude hold for you, or what would you like to share about gratitude?
Sara: A good day for me is one in which I remember to think of at least one thing I am grateful for. The world around me may (and usually is) in turmoil, but if I can maintain even an ounce of gratitude, I am more likely to maintain some balance that day.
Here at Vermont Foodbank, we couldn’t be more grateful for you and Sara, and all the members of the Foodbank community, for investing in the food-secure Vermont we all deserve. You really do make a difference. Thank you.
Glenn is one of Vermont Foodbank’s all-star drivers, and for him, work is personal. Having faced hard times himself, Glenn brings empathy and care that resonate with every neighbor he meets. Watching him work, it’s clear—he doesn’t just deliver food. He delivers connection and hope, with a side of humor that lightens the mood and makes every interaction genuine.
As a retired pastry chef, Cindy spends a lot of time trying new recipes, creating edible masterpieces, and baking for just about anyone she encounters. Cindy also volunteers her talents to teach baking classes at Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, where she has found a community she values, and that values her in return.
When life took an unexpected turn for a mom in northern Vermont, she got in touch with the Foodbank to help provide her family with nourishing food. With the one-on-one assistance available to help connect her with the food resources that work best for her whole family, she can keep feeding her kids quality food while investing in her community.
