Supporting the Food Shelf

In worship on Sunday we heard several powerful testimonies to the power of sharing and the need to share in our current moment. As we prepare to make our financial commitments (pledges) to the church for the coming year, we are aware that there are plenty of places that could use some help.

Many are concerned over the uncertain future for SNAP benefits, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which over 12% of the US population relied upon in 2024 (in Vermont, the number was closer to 10%). The program was called to a halt as of November 1, though the legality of that action is currently tied up in the courts.

While Vermont had already agreed to fund the program with their own resources through Nov. 15, food pantries are preparing for increased demand in the coming weeks. Our own Essex-Jericho-Underhill Ecumenical Food Shelf will be holding its monthly distribution at Good Shepherd this Saturday, Nov. 15, on the exact day these benefits may run out. (Much depends on what a potential end to the shut down would look like.)

Our Food Shelf is supported by several area churches, and each one adopts a particular item to keep well stocked. For years, we have been the tuna church, bringing our cans either to a basket in the church or to the bins located at Jericho Market, Hannaford, or Market 32 (Price Chopper). I reached out this week to see if there are any particular needs ahead of Saturday’s distribution, and those items include cereal, tomato/pasta sauce, and canned fruit. As the distribution is coming up quickly, it would be best to leave the items in a grocery store bin, rather than at our church. Financial donations to our food shelf can also be made through our website (click the category that says local ecumenical food shelf).

Of course, there are many organizations throughout the state working to address hunger, just as there are needs that arise between distributions. This website includes a list of all Vermont food pantries by town, should you or someone you know ever need to find one nearby. And our church also has some funds set aside to help provide basic needs: food gift cards, one-time assistance with a utility or rent bill, etc. Your generosity replenished this fund earlier this year, and it is already going to good use. If you are aware of a need, please see me to make arrangements.

Amidst all of this, we are still filling the cornucopia for a Thanksgiving meal, collecting sweatshirts for PreK kids in Hyde Park (see Bonnie Belfield), and preparing to do more of the same come Christmas. This generosity reflects a deep understanding of stewardship: that the resources we have are not our own, but are rather entrusted to us for a time.

Thank you ever so much for your continued and generous stewarding. And may we pray and work for a day when there are fewer gaps to fill.

Pastor Jen