South Burlington students help stock the food shelf

“We collected a lot of soups and dried fruits, everything is nonperishable,” eighth-grader Molly Burke said.

It’s all been collected by Tuttle Middle School students in South Burlington since December– and it’s all going to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington.

“Mostly I chose to do it because I know a lot of guys that are homeless at the food shelf,” sixth-grader Andrew Dennison said.

“I really like helping people in need,” said Nicholas Goodman, a seventh-grader. “And I think it’s cool to help out after the holidays when there’s not very much food in the pantry.”

“February, March, April; tough times for people without a room,” said Bob Maritano of the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.

Now the food shelf’s pantry will be restocked with this 2,500 pound donation.

“The dire part of our organization is now. It’s every day; poverty is 24/7,” Maritano said.

“It makes me really happy and I’m guessing most of the homeless people there are going to be very happy,” Dennison said.

All this donated food will feed at least 50 families for three to four weeks.

Reporter Gina Bullard: How does it feel to see all this food going?

Nicholas Goodman: It’s kind of weird actually. We spent so much time picking it up and organizing it… it’s really cool.

“One of the key things you’re doing with children is building a lot of character,” Maritano said. “They don’t even know it, but it’s a great foundation for them.”

“It feels good and it makes us feel connected and we’re helping the community and we’re helping each other out– it’s great,” Burke said.

A lesson about giving; young Vermonters helping to feed those less fortunate.