Join Us in Supporting the Colchester Food Shelf: How You Can Make a Difference!

Colchester Food Shelf Update from Stephanie Phelps

Hi everyone! I’m Stephanie Phelps, Vice President of the Colchester Food Shelf. I wanted to share what’s happening with us this year.

The need for our services is growing fast. In just the first five months of 2025, we’ve seen a 12% increase in households. Right now, we help about 170 families every month, providing them with a week’s worth of groceries. If trends continue, we expect to serve 20% more families by the end of the year. To put it in context, three years ago, we were reaching fewer than 90 families monthly.

Financial Insights

We’ve been smart with our spending. Thanks to careful planning, we’re currently below our food budget of $110,000 for 2025. However, monetary donations have dropped over 30% as families tighten their own budgets, which we had anticipated.

Where Do We Get Our Food?

Most of our food comes from local sources. We proudly support Vermont-based businesses like the Vermont Foodbank and Paul Mazza’s Farm Stand. About 36% of our food budget goes to local suppliers. The rest is sourced from larger retailers like Walmart and Costco. We’re also thankful for Hannaford’s weekly contributions of produce, meat, and baked goods.

Behind the Scenes

Our mission wouldn’t be possible without our 70+ volunteers and community support. Recent food drives from groups like the Colchester-Milton Rotary Club and local students have been a game changer.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to contribute:

• Volunteer: We’re always looking for help. Email us at volunteer@colchesterfoodshelf.org.

• Donate Food: You can drop off donations on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 6 PM.

• Financial Support: You can donate on Wednesdays in person, via mail to PO Box 625, Colchester, VT 05446, or online at Colchester Food Shelf.

Community Impact

It’s inspiring to see how many people want to help ensure no one in Colchester goes hungry. Together, we’re making a difference.

Recent Trends and Insights

According to a 2023 report from Feeding America, food bank usage has increased by 55% since the pandemic. Many families are still struggling with rising costs. This emphasizes the importance of local efforts like ours. It’s heartening to see communities banding together during tough times.

Thank you for your continued support!

Source link

letters_to_editor