PUTNEY — The Putney Foodshelf reports it received sizable donations of food in May.
The annual Letter Carriers' “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive provided a boost of 500 pounds of canned goods, collected by Putney letter carriers.
Separately, the Dummerston Girls on the Run program filled a car with canned goods for Foodshelf recipients.
The Foodshelf says it routinely secures 300 to 400 pounds of canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, eggs, yogurt, and meat each week to keep their shelves stocked, though additional donations are always needed. Its most reliable sources include the Vermont Foodbank, area schools, farmers, and local donors - all of whom help sustain more than 35 families on a regular basis.
The Foodshelf recently announced it partnered with Putney Family Services to provide backpacks loaded with weekend food for 13 children at Putney Central School.
It said it models its Family Food Bag program after the Vermont Foodbank's Backpack Program, which sends breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack foods home with the kids so that they have food over the weekends.
Food insecurity continues to plague many Vermont families and nearly two dozen homeless people in Putney, The Putney Foodshelf says.
The Foodshelf's open hours are Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Volunteers are available to help newcomers through the easy process of filling a couple of bags of food for the week.