Holiday Grocery Bags for Our Neighbors in Need
On Dec 12, our Holiday Grocery Pack event will fill 650 grocery bags with healthy, high-need pantry staples which will be donated to area schools and service organizations, including:
Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice is a full service, not-for-profit Visiting Nurse Association providing “medically-necessary home health and hospice care to all central Vermonters, regardless of their ability to pay.” Their primary goals are providing health care services in the comfort and privacy of the home while providing care unique to the needs of each patient, delivered by compassionate and experienced professionals. CVHHH also promotes and supports the health and wellbeing of all citizens of our region through their variety of programs, including services for moms and babies, public flu clinics, grief and bereavement services and foot care clinics.
Family Center of Washington County is the state-designated Parent Child Center for central Vermont. They provide a wide range of services for children and families, including infant, toddler and preschool child care, playgroups for children from birth to five, parent education and outreach activities for mothers and fathers, training for child care providers, assistance to parents in finding and paying for child care, and planning and coordinating the Central Vermont Building Bright Futures Council’s region-wide programs for parents as first teachers of their children. With a mission of “building resourceful families and healthy children to create a strong community,” their programs are family centered, responsive to the unique needs of every family and supportive and nurturing of families, caregivers and children in every situation.
Montpelier Food Pantry serves the communities of Montpelier, E. Montpelier, Calais, Middlesex, Berlin, Worcester and Adamant, providing emergency meals to both individuals and families. They believe that access to nutritious food is a basic human right and work to provide meals to every individual, regardless of their situation or how often they may be in need of help. They also assist those in need of life’s necessities and social justice, while promoting self-sufficiency and food independence through food education.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center is a gathering place for healthy aging, lifelong learning and delicious meals. The Center offers a variety of programs for seniors including more than 60 affordable weekly classes in movement, the humanities, art, and more; travel opportunities through organized trips for events such as fall foliage viewing or to places like Montreal and Northern Stage Theatre; clinics and resources, from blood pressure clinics to tax clinics, provided through a number of community partners; special events such as lectures, presentations, and group activities; and meals through the FEAST nutrition program that provides healthy and delicious meals for the community.
Downstreet Housing & Community Development “strengthens the communities of central Vermont by engaging with people, providing affordable homes and connecting people to the resources and services they need to thrive.” They offer a variety of programs including real estate development; the SASH program that provides at-home health services and support; home-buyer education workshops; homes for sale including down payment and closing cost assistance; home repair loans; rental properties aimed at addressing the shortage of affordable housing for low and moderate income residents; a focus on environmental responsibility; and Hello Neighbor breakfasts designed to strengthen ties among the community.
Good Beginnings of Central Vermont works to create a “society where the transition to parenthood is supported and communities come together to ensure all infants thrive.” Since 1991, they have been offering a wide range of services and resources for new parents, including those that cover postpartum depression, parenting support and the basic needs of every new parent. All of their programs, from the post-partum angel program that matches trained volunteers with local families to a range of postpartum and parenting workshops, are offered free of charge.
Donations of grocery bags will also be made to the Washington Elves Program and three local schools: Barre City Elementary, Barre Town School, and Union Elementary School.
These donations would not be possible without the support of our community partners Northfield Savings Bank and Cabot Creamery, our member-owners and shoppers, and our vendors who supply the products which fill the grocery bags, including Organic Valley, Albert’s Organics, McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli, Sunrise Orchards, La Panciata Bakery and Vermont Coffee Company. Many thanks to them and to everyone involved in bringing healthy, nutritious food to those who need it most.