More clients, fewer donations at food shelf
Burlington, Vermont – March 11, 2011
The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf calls it the perfect storm– it’s seeing more hungry people, but has less food to give them.
The service agency says high rents in Chittenden County, expensive gas and utilities, lingering job losses, and rising food prices mean families need help. But food donations tend to drop after the holidays.
The Food Shelf wants to dispel the myth that it takes only nonperishable food. The facility’s kitchen can take eggs, butter, meat, and more.
“We’ve got more of a professional kitchen service here now than we used to,” said Rob Meehan of the Food Shelf. “So we’re able to actually take food, prepare it, package it, and get it out through our distribution, so that a mom coming through with a child who’s working and just really having a hard time making ends meet now doesn’t have to then go home and prepare a meal, but have one prepared for her, in addition to getting groceries.”
The food shelf’s largest fundraiser of the year is Friday night. Over the past 4 years, it’s raised more than $100,000.
Jack Thurston – WCAX News
