100% of your donation will go towards buying food and personal care items for those in need. This is a volunteer driven fundraiser and there are no salaries or operational expenses paid from any of the proceeds collected. All of the proceeds go directly to the food shelves. Please designate which food shelf you would like your donation to go to in the comments.
This year all donations of cash and non-perishable food items will help feed thousands at: Foodworks (Groundworks Food Shelf), St Brigid’s Kitchen and Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen, all in Brattleboro; Guilford Cares Food Pantry; Bread of Life Food Pantry in Vernon; Hinsdale Food Pantry; Our Place Drop In Center in Bellows Falls; Putney Food Shelf; and Townshend Community Food Shelf.
Press Release: 2022
Project Feed the Thousands has kicked off its 29th annual campaign against hunger in our community. Project Feed the Thousands is a community-wide food drive and will be collecting cash and non-perishable food items through the end of the year. This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 in cash, as well as to collect enough provisions to provide 300,000 healthy and nutritious meals. What started as a modest campaign in 1994, founded by George Haynes, former President of the Brattleboro Savings and Loan, and Larry Smith, then of WTSA Radio, Project Feed the Thousands has grown into a major annual fundraiser that continually strives to fill a need that relentlessly increases year after year. It receives major underwriting support from founding sponsor WTSA Radio, and from 802 Credit Union, which River Valley Credit Union merged with in 2021.
“Project Feed the Thousands is not only this region’s largest community food drive,” said Project co-chair Kelli Corbeil, owner of WTSA Radio. “Its mission impacts more individuals in this area than any other organization that I can think of. We support nine area food shelves who are struggling to feed the thousands of people who depend on them for nutritious meals, not only themselves, but for their children as well. The need continues to increase. We never could have imagined, so many years ago, that our efforts would become such a vital and fundamental component in the health and well-being of so many of our friends and neighbors, but that is exactly what this food drive has become. Hunger is something no one should have to face and our goal is to make sure no one in our communities does.”
John Sciacca, general manager of Brattleboro Subaru, explained why he has joined the board as co-chair. “I have been aware of Project Feed the Thousands for many years and have always been an ardent supporter. To now have the opportunity to further its mission, and to actively participate in the good work being done is something for which I’m extremely grateful.”
“We have met with representatives from our area food shelves, and what they are reporting is overwhelmingly tragic,” said Sciacca. “Hannah Pick from the Putney Food Shelf told us that their client base has doubled in the past year, Carolyn Pieciak from Brigid’s Kitchen reported that 77% of the people coming in for meals are seniors, Andrew Courtney related that Foodworks has seen a 25% increase during just one quarter of 2022, and Ruth Tilghman from Loaves and Fishes is seeing increasing need from refugees who are here as part of the CASP program (Community Asylum Seekers Project).”
“The need is tremendous,” said Haynes. “I’m a numbers guy, and the current state of the economy is deeply troubling. Our most vulnerable population is being hit hard with increasing food, gas, and heating oil costs, not to mention the costs of medication. The people in need run the gamut, from young working families, to single parents, to our elderly population. Our mission has always been important, but it absolutely critical this year.”
“We rely heavily on individuals and businesses mailing in their generous, tax-deductible donations”, stated Corbeil. “The participation of our community members is imperative and is what this campaign is all about. Your cash contribution is maximized to its fullest extent when our area food shelves are able to use these funds to purchase food at the Vermont Food Bank at a greatly reduced rate, enabling them to stretch every dollar and help even more people. We have no administrative overhead costs, so every dollar raised goes to purchase food.”
“802 Credit Union is committed to continuing our support for Project Feed the Thousands, carrying on the tradition that RVCU had done for more than a decade”, stated Celina Ayers, board member and VP at the credit union. “We process all of the monetary contributions that are received, and our staff is committed to making this program a success year after year. No one should ever have to go hungry. We are very proud to be part of this worthy organization, and we are grateful to our community members for their ongoing support.”
“The challenges are enormous”, stated Chris Thayer, Southern Facility Branch Director for the Vermont Food Bank in Brattleboro. “Supply chain issues and increasing costs have affected even us, but what is most concerning to me is the significant challenge facing our local food shelves. The loss of Covid relief money, coupled with an increasing need, has been a double whammy – more people, less resources.”
While cash is critical, food contributions are always welcome. “Food donations are another way people can help”, said Corbeil. “Market 32, Hannaford, the Brattleboro Food Coop, and River Bend Farm Market, along with many other locations, will serve as collection points, and donating is easy. We simply want every one, every time, to pick up extra item every single time they shop. Whether it’s an extra jar of peanut butter, an extra can of tuna fish, or an extra box of cereal, we want them to take advantage of in-store sales and promotions, and instead of stocking their pantries, we want them to pay it forward by donating something to someone in need. It couldn’t be easier!”
“Project Feed the Thousands has nourished countless individuals and families since 1994”, said Sciacca. “I am thrilled to now be a part of this incredible organization. The people we are serving are good, honest people. We have a moral obligation to help our neighbors in need, with grace and dignity.”
