3rd Annual Vermont Foodbank Hunger Conference Connected Community Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger
For Immediate Release
For More Info:
Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank
802-477-4108, jstermer@vtfoodbank.org
3rd Annual Vermont Foodbank Hunger Conference ConnectedCommunity Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger
On Wednesday, April 15th, The Vermont Foodbank hosted its third annual Hunger Conference, Connecting Community Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger, at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee. More than 200 representatives from 60 different Foodbank network partners—pantries, soup kitchens, senior meal sites and after-school programs—were in attendance to learn how to better serve their clients.
Statewide, partners of the Foodbank are reporting 25-30% increases in the number of people seeking charitable food this year. With the highest unemployment rate in state in 17 years, more Vermont families are turning to the emergency food than ever before. To cope with these changes, several educational workshops were offered, including “Making the Most of 3SquaresVT,” “Grant Writing,” and “Cooking with Supplemental Foods,” to name a few.
One participant described the conference as, “Fabulous! Informative workshops and great location! I always learn something I can use back at my home with my food shelf.”
Robert Egger of DC Central Kitchen and author of “Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient, and Rewarding for All,” delivered the keynote address. Egger was described as, “Inspiring and full of hope,” as he challenged participants to continually look for new and innovative ways to address the ever growing problem of hunger.
Community leaders from Vermont were also on hand to show their support—Governor Jim Douglas welcomed participants and thanked them for their service to Vermont. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders addressed conference goers in the afternoon, lauded conference goers for identifying and addressing the needs in their communities.
Connecting Community Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger was made possible by the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Hypertherm, Seventh Generation, The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and Feeding America.
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About the Vermont FoodbankVermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving communities in all 14 counties of Vermont through a network of 270 food pantries, soup kitchen, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 6.5 million pounds of food to the more than 66,000 needy Vermonters who request charitable food assistance. The Vermont Foodbank is a nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. For facts and figures on hunger and poverty, to sign-up to receive our newsletter, to find a food shelf in your community, and to learn about the Federal Nutrition Programs, visit us on the web at www.vtfoodbank.org
