Feeding Champlain Valley food shelf has temporarily moved to Winooski’s O’Brien Community Center

Read the article at vtcommunitynews.org. Below is an excerpt.

As a low-barrier food shelf, Feeding Champlain Valley doesn’t require proof of residency for provision of services. It serves a large number of people facing food insecurity daily and relies on volunteers and donations to keep the operation running.

Before setting up in Winooski, Feeding Champlain Valley reached out to people who depend on the operation. The food shelf distributed flyers to regulars and provided links to the Intervale Center’s free Burlington food map which provides directions to local food shelves, pantries, hot meals and more for those who could not easily access the new location.

From downtown Burlington, the O’Brien Center is a 50-minute walk, 20-minute bike ride, or quick ride on the Green Mountain Transit bus.

“Hopefully, they can still come to us, take the bus, or walk across (the bridge between Burlington and Winooski.) But otherwise, the food map is really the best bet,” said Ansley Laev, volunteer coordinator.

As for Winooski residents facing food insecurity, the temporary move brings them closer to a resource for free and nourishing food. According to Laev, an average of 10 new Winooski clients have signed up daily since April 1.

Since the move, Feeding Champlain Valley has focused on improving its grocery delivery services to expand access.

“We understand how moving to Winooski has made us less accessible for some people, and our Chittenden County delivery program is increasing, so we’re trying to offset that,” Laev said.

The program makes deliveries through PantrySoft, an online ordering service that functions as a virtual food shelf. Since relocating, the demand for this service has increased, and with it, the need for physically demanding volunteer work, like packing boxes at the warehouse in Colchester and carrying out deliveries.

Susan Coker, a three-times-a-week volunteer for the food shelf, has been helping out at Feeding Champlain Valley for five years. Coker, who is retired, volunteers to stay busy while serving the community. Despite a persistent shoulder injury, she shows up to the food shelf every week with a positive attitude, ready to serve people who regularly express their appreciation.

“You see lots of people,” Coker said. “You see the same people coming and they say, ‘Thank you for being here.’”

While clients of the food shelf may be experiencing difficult circumstances, Coker notes that her interactions as a volunteer are largely positive.

“You have a lot more friendly people than you do those who get frustrated. Mainly, they’re happy they have something here,” she said.