CFL bulbs arrive at Chittenden Food Shelf

By Jason Starr
The Essex Reporter
10/01/09

Next to the toothpaste and below the sunscreen at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, hundreds of compact fluorescent light bulbs have found display space.

Household items are nothing new at the Vermont Foodbank’s 270 locations, but an item that will provide financial relief for the state’s poorest residents has never been offered.

“These are the people that have the greatest need, and money saved is money that can be used elsewhere,” said Michael Russom of Efficiency Vermont. “We’ve heard of people skipping meals to pay utility bills. We’re trying to make that happen less often.”

Efficiency Vermont led a public information campaign in 2008 about the benefits of switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs) in homes and businesses. The bulbs last up to 8 years longer, and each bulb is good for $7 a year in savings, according the organization.

A fact sheet accompanies the CFL display at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf explaining the energy and money savings. Although some food shelf clients were unaware of the technology, they have not hesitated to take them home.

The bulbs began arriving earlier this month, the result of a partnership between Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Foodbank.

“People get excited any time we have household items, especially something like this that will help them save money in their energy bills,” Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf spokeswoman Rachel Moss said. “They have been just flying off the shelves.”

The Vermont Foodbank will distribute 15,000 bulbs at its locations around the state this fall. Not all locations have been stocked yet. Foodbank Chief Executive Officer John Sayles expects all the bulbs to have found homes by the middle of October. He said he’s working on making them available at food shelves on an ongoing basis.

“This partnership reduces energy usage and increases the funds available for purchasing food, moving us a step closer to eradicating hunger in our state,” Sayles said.