Foodbank's Ability to Meet Unprecedented Need is in Jeopardy
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2009
Media Contact
Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank
802-477-4108
c. 802-505-0699
Foodbank's Ability to Meet Unprecedented Need is in Jeopardy
Thousands of Vermonters at risk of going hungry without Vermont Foodbank
Barre, VT-The Vermont Foodbank supports thousands of our Vermont neighbors with food when times are tough. Now, more than ever, the Foodbank needs support to adequately serve those Vermonters who are at greater risk of going hungry this year. "Acquiring, sorting, packaging, and delivering millions of pounds of food takes funding and that comes mostly from individual Vermonters," said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. "Without an infusion of strong financial support, the Vermont Foodbank's operation is in jeopardy of not meeting the needs of hungry Vermonters."
Less than a month ago, the USDA released Household Food Security 2009, an annual study which reported that nearly 75,000 people are living on the brink of hunger in Vermont. "The study confirms what our network partners are reporting," said Sayles. "Our Place in Bellows Falls is serving 53% more meals now, compared to last year at this time. The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf has been serving 1,000 more individuals each year for the past two years in a row-and the stories are similar around the state. We are being asked to do more. Donations are not growing at the same rate as the need."
Through a myriad of programs, the Vermont Foodbank is working to ensure that no Vermonter goes without food. Whether delivering nutritious food to community food shelves, or backpacks filled with food for the weekends to school children, or boxes of staple foods to thousands of seniors each month, the Vermont Foodbank programs have been serving Vermonters in need for more than 20 years. Without Foodbank programs that address the needs of Vermont's most vulnerable citizens, thousands of Vermonters in need of food are likely to suffer.
To keep up with the increased demand on the charitable food system, the Vermont Foodbank needs to distribute more than 8 million pounds of food this year. "The Foodbank is on target to distribute 700,000 pounds of food this month to food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers, and after-school programs around the state, however, moving more food to meet the increasing demand will require increased community support," said Sayles. "Vermonters are still losing their jobs and seeing their hours cut. And the Foodbank is seeing unprecedented demand for our services," added Sayles. "We see working families, seniors, and more than 20,000 children struggling with hunger-and demand continues to rise."
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About the Vermont Foodbank
Located in Barre, the Vermont Foodbank is the state's largest hunger relief organization, serving a network of 280 partners, consisting of food shelves, food pantries, senior centers, shelters and after-school programs, that assist 66,000 Vermonters each year. In FY 2009, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 7.5 million pounds of food to its Network Partners around the state. The Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the country's largest charitable hunger-relief organization. For additional information about the Vermont Foodbank, facts on hunger and poverty, recent articles on the issue, or to find a food shelf in your community please visit us on the web at http://www.vtfoodbank.org/.
