Hope you all are shoveled out from the snowstorm. It looks pretty, but I wouldn’t mind if it only snowed on the cross-country paths and the ski slopes for the rest of winter.

I want to talk to you about two things: one is very positive, and the other is a concern.

First, thank you so much for all the grocery donations that you bring to the Food Shelf. In 2022 you donated 28, 237 pounds of groceries and produce. Nothing went to waste. Items donated that are on our client shopping list went on our shelves to put into clients’ bags. (If you go to our website you will find a list of the grocery items that are on our shopping list for clients). Those that were not on our shopping list went out on our miscellaneous table and clients were free to take those items. Produce that would not hold up was brought to a nearby food shelf.

We truly appreciate your financial donations; however, since the beginning of 2023, donations have slowed, and we ask that you consider your ability to help. It is not a surprise that your grocery bill has increased quite a bit over the last year. So has ours. We make every attempt to buy from the Vermont Foodbank and look for the best prices we can find locally. We are always looking for ways to reduce our expenses without reducing the type and quality of the groceries for our clients. Our financial status is okay, but over the last several months, our expenses have exceeded our income.

Total visits from September 2022 to February 2023 compared to September 2021 to February 2022 our visits each month have increased 39% and the number of new clients has increased 15%.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this Front Porch Forum message, and thank you for your continued support.

Marcia Devino
President, Colchester Community Food Shelf Board of Directors

Help us spread the word to those that may not see the Front Porch Forum, Facebook, or website posts!

Where Can You Find Us?
The Food Shelf is located at 245 Main Street, Colchester, between Claussen’s Greenhouse and Union Memorial School.

Our mailing address for donations is Colchester Food Shelf, PO Box 625, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Questions? Email info@colchesterfoodshelf.org. We can also be reached by phone at 802-879-2444. If you call outside our Wednesday hours, please leave a message.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4: FOOD SHELF HOURS: 9 AM TO 11 AM

PROOF OF RESIDENCE INFORMATION: We continue to check Proof of Residency for any new client or anyone who has not visited the Food Shelf this year. Please remember that this is the only piece of personal information we require in order for you to use the services of the Food Shelf. Proof would be a current bill, lease, etc., with your name and address. A driver’s license or car registration can not be used as Proof of Residence.

MASK WEARING: ​Please continue to wear a mask when talking with Food Shelf volunteers. Volunteers continue to wear masks throughout their shifts. COVID-19 is still out here, but just as important, the Flu virus is here.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE IF FOOD SHELF IS CLOSED: As in past years, if school is canceled due to weather during the winter on a Wednesday, the Food Shelf will also be closed.

Please stay safe and well!

Help us spread the word to those that may not see the Front Porch Forum, Facebook, or website posts!

Where Can You Find Us?
The Food Shelf is located at 245 Main Street, Colchester, between Claussen’s Greenhouse and Union Memorial School.

Our mailing address for donations is Colchester Food Shelf, PO Box 625, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Questions? Email info@colchesterfoodshelf.org. We can also be reached by phone at 802-879-2444. If you call outside our Wednesday hours, please leave a message.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: FOOD SHELF HOURS: 12 NOON TO 6 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 4: FOOD SHELF HOURS: 9 AM TO 11 AM

PROOF OF RESIDENCE INFORMATION: We continue to check Proof of Residency for any new client or anyone who has not visited the Food Shelf this year. Please remember that this is the only piece of personal information we require in order for you to use the services of the Food Shelf. Proof would be a current bill, lease, etc., with your name and address. A driver’s license or car registration can not be used as Proof of Residence.

CANOPY UP: The canopy should be up outside the Food Shelf this week. There are tables with miscellaneous items that are not on our shopping list and recently outdated items (marked as such).

DONATIONS: Thank you to all who donate so generously. We appreciate the financial donations and grocery donations helping to stock our shelves.  The high-priority items are those that are on the shopping list used by our clients. You can find a list of high-priority items by visiting the Donate page on our website (or click here to view the list). Any other donated items that are not on our shopping list are placed on a miscellaneous table which we put outside under our canopy, weather permitting. If you are donating items from your pantry, please check the dates and DO NOT donate outdated groceries. For the last quarter of 2022, you donated 13,420 pounds of groceries and produce.

MASK WEARING: ​Please continue to wear a mask when talking with Food Shelf volunteers. Volunteers continue to wear masks throughout their shifts. COVID-19 is still out here, but just as important, the Flu virus is here.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE IF FOOD SHELF IS CLOSED: As in past years, if school is canceled due to weather during the winter on a Wednesday, the Food Shelf will also be closed.

Please stay safe and well!

Help us spread the word to those that may not see the Front Porch Forum, Facebook, or website posts!

Where Can You Find Us?
The Food Shelf is located at 245 Main Street, Colchester, between Claussen’s Greenhouse and Union Memorial School.

Our mailing address for donations is Colchester Food Shelf, PO Box 625, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Questions? Email info@colchesterfoodshelf.org. We can also be reached by phone at 802-879-2444. If you call outside our Wednesday hours, please leave a message.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22: FOOD SHELF HOURS: 12 NOON TO 6 PM

PROOF OF RESIDENCE INFORMATION: We will be checking everyone’s Proof of Residency for 2023 during February. Please remember that this is the only piece of personal information we require in order for you to use the services of the Food Shelf. Once a year, we need to verify place of residence and we appreciate your cooperation. Proof needs to be a current bill, lease, etc., with your name and address. A driver’s license or car registration can NOT be used as Proof of Residence. You must bring Proof of Residency if you are new to the Food Shelf or if you have not provided it in December or January.

CANOPY UP: The canopy should be up outside the Food Shelf this week. There are tables with miscellaneous items that are not on our shopping list, recently outdated items (marked as such), and some hats.

DONATIONS: Thank you to all who donate so generously. We appreciate the financial donations and grocery donations helping to stock our shelves.  The high-priority items are those that are on the shopping list used by our clients. You can find a list of high-priority items by visiting the Donate page on our website (or click here to view the list). Any other donated items that are not on our shopping list are placed on a miscellaneous table which we put outside under our canopy, weather permitting. If you are donating items from your pantry, please check the dates and DO NOT donate outdated groceries. For the last quarter of 2022, you donated 13,420 pounds of groceries and produce.

MASK WEARING: ​Please continue to wear a mask when talking with Food Shelf volunteers. Volunteers continue to wear masks throughout their shifts. COVID-19 is still out here, but just as important, the Flu virus is here.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE IF FOOD SHELF IS CLOSED: As in past years, if school is cancelled due to weather during the winter on a Wednesday, the Food Shelf will also be closed.

Please stay safe and well!

Help us spread the word to those that may not see the Front Porch Forum, Facebook, or website posts!

Hours of Operation
Wednesdays from 12 Noon to 6 PM and the first Saturday of each month from 9 AM to 11 AM.

Where Can You Find Us?
The Food Shelf is located at 245 Main Street, Colchester, between Claussen’s Greenhouse and Union Memorial School.

Our mailing address for donations is Colchester Food Shelf, PO Box 625, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Questions? Email info@colchesterfoodshelf.org. We can also be reached by phone at 802-879-2444. If you call outside our Wednesday hours, please leave a message.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15: FOOD SHELF HOURS: 12 NOON TO 6 PM

PROOF OF RESIDENCE INFORMATION: We will be checking everyone’s Proof of Residency for 2023 during February. Please remember that this is the only piece of personal information we require in order for you to use the services of the Food Shelf. Once a year, we need to verify place of residence and we appreciate your cooperation. Proof needs to be a current bill, lease, etc., with your name and address. A driver’s license or car registration can NOT be used as Proof of Residence. You must bring Proof of Residency if you are new to the Food Shelf or if you have not provided it in December or January.

MASK WEARING: ​Please continue to wear a mask when talking with Food Shelf volunteers. Volunteers continue to wear masks throughout their shifts. COVID-19 is still out here, but just as important, the Flu virus is here.

CANOPY UP: The canopy should be up outside the Food Shelf this week. There are tables with miscellaneous items that are not on our shopping list, recently outdated items (marked as such), and some hats.

DONATIONS: Thank you to all who donate so generously. We appreciate the financial donations and grocery donations helping to stock our shelves.  The high-priority items are those that are on the shopping list used by our clients. You can find a list of high-priority items by visiting the Donate page on our website (or click here to view the list). Any other donated items that are not on our shopping list are placed on a miscellaneous table which we put outside under our canopy, weather permitting. If you are donating items from your pantry, please check the dates and DO NOT donate outdated groceries. For the last quarter of 2022, you donated 13,420 pounds of groceries and produce.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE IF FOOD SHELF IS CLOSED: As in past years, if school is canceled due to weather during the winter on a Wednesday, the Food Shelf will also be closed.

Please stay safe and well!

Help us spread the word to those that may not see the Front Porch Forum, Facebook, or website posts!

Where Can You Find Us?
The Food Shelf is located at 245 Main Street, Colchester, between Claussen’s Greenhouse and Union Memorial School.

Our mailing address for donations is Colchester Food Shelf, PO Box 625, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Questions? Email info@colchesterfoodshelf.org. We can also be reached by phone at 802-879-2444. If you call outside our Wednesday hours, please leave a message.