Denise is the manager at Sid's Pantry in Essex County and is committed to giving back to her community through her work there.

Denise’s first experience with Sid’s Pantry in Concord, VT, was as a neighbor regularly visiting to access food. “I was going and there were probably about 15 people that I would see regularly, the same older people. And it was always the same, very nice and friendly with two ladies [working].”

Denise moved to a different town for a few years and when she came back to Concord, she went back to the food shelf. It was then that she recognized the need for food shelves to offer more variety to neighbors. “I could really see the future, that we need to advocate for fresh fruits and vegetables,” Denise says. So Denise decided to ask for more fresh food and non-food items like deodorant and shampoo.

Now, as the food shelf manager, Denise continues to bring in and make available the items people want and need.

Denise sees how people appreciate the fresh food Sid’s is able offer, thanks to Vermont Foodbank programs that distribute free, fresh produce and purchase directly from local farmers—made possible with support from friends like you.

“I drop by the farm stand and pick up cherry tomatoes, then greens, green onions, and squash,” Denise recalls. “They loved it, you know? It is fresh and I make sure any of these are from our farm right down the road so that they can have a taste of that. Because that’s the other thing… people can’t always afford to pay those prices. I feel like advocating for poor people that also deserve [fresh, local food].”

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