Vermont Foodbank staff visited the Onion River Food Shelf recently to celebrate Diane, who helped start the food shelf in the 1980s.

How do you find the heart of a community?
You can find it in the people who run its food shelf.

In Marshfield Vermont, a town of 1,563 people, all it takes is a visit to the Old Schoolhouse Common building. Built as a school in 1929, it is now home to the library, town clerk, and food shelf.

Just this month, about a dozen people gathered there to celebrate one person who, in many ways, represents the heart of the community: Diana Fielder.

Diana helped start the Onion River Food Shelf in the 1980s and has been running it ever since. Diana’s co-coordinator Glenn Sturgis recently wrote to Vermont Foodbank: “Diana continues to show up every week and guide all of us. She has been a gift to folks in need for many years. I know everyone is busy, but sometimes it is nice to slow down for a minute and recognize the folks who got us to where we are.”

The Onion River Food Shelf started as an effort by a coalition of several churches. Because of Diana’s leadership, the congregation of The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier has remained a key supporter. Pastor Dave Schilling is among those who help unload the Vermont Foodbank truck delivery every month.

Diana Brings the Community Together

When Glenn reached out to invite volunteers and staff from Vermont Foodbank to honor Diana, they ran with the invitation. She was surprised with flowers, a poem, and a table of homemade treats in the hallway outside the food shelf. The hall filled with laughter, hugs, and big smiles.

“Diana is so good at recognizing the needs of the families we serve because she is such a great listener, and she is a good problem solver.”
~ Glenn Sturgis

The Food Shelf is a Welcoming Space

Diana and her team – all of them offering their time and talent as volunteers – have created a welcoming space that meets the needs of their neighbors. A new walk-in cooler accommodates large boxes of fresh produce, cheese and eggs. Three freezers provided by Efficiency Vermont are stocked with meat. A table displays loaves of fresh bread donated by Red Hen Bakery. Shelves of grocery items include all the essentials, and a volunteer even brings in birthday cake kits. The team thinks of everything – small details like animal refrigerator magnets to occupy small hands while parents shop.

Diana helped start the Onion River Food Shelf in the 1980s and continues to run the organization with help from volunteers like Kim.

Onion River Food Shelf volunteer Kim, standing, connects with Diana at the celebration.

“Every time the shelves empty out, something comes along and we fill them back up again,” Kim Sturgis remarks. Kim helps recruit and organize food shelf volunteers. “We’ll get a Foodbank delivery, or donations from the church, or individuals show up with items.”

Onion River Food Shelf receives fresh produce and shelf-stable food from Vermont Foodbank. It can access grants and operational support from Vermont Foodbank as well. When you support Vermont Foodbank, you are helping to improve food access in communities across Vermont.

The Onion River Food Shelf, serving neighbors in Marshfield, Plainfield, Cabot, Calais and East Montpelier, is one of Vermont Foodbank’s 220 Network Partners. We work with food shelves, meal sites, schools and hospitals that, with your support, help connect neighbors with food resources. Locate all of Vermont Foodbank’s Network Partners on our Find a Food Shelf page.

View More Photos From the Celebration

John Sayles and Diana, who helped start the Onion River Food Shelf 40 years ago.
John Sayles, Glen and Diana at the Onion River Food Shelf.
Volunteers at the Onion River Food Shelf came together to celebrate Diane.
John Sayles speaking with Diana at the celebration.
Diana helped start the Onion River Food Shelf in the 1980s and continues to run the organization with help from volunteers like Kim.
The walk-in cooler at Onion River Food Shelf.
The scene at the Onion River Food Shelf during the celebration.
Community members and John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO, celebrating at the Onion River Food Shelf.
The stocked fridge at the Onion River Food Shelf.
John Sayles and looks looks at the shelf-stable food area at the Onion River Food Shelf.
Vermont Foodbank staff visited the Onion River Food Shelf recently to celebrate Diane, who helped start the food shelf in the 1980s.
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