Food insecurity continues to be a concern in our communities.
Not enough food.
Not enough healthy food.
Higher fuel prices cutting into family budgets.
In addition to that, at the end of March, SNAP benefits will be scaled backed and the Everybody Eats program which began during the COVID pandemic will be phased out which will add to the food insecurity issues already faced by a number of community families.

Because of this, the Mission Committee has decided that the funds raised during our Lenten Change Challenge will go to support the work and ministry of the Neighbors Pantry. In addition to our congregation, we are inviting other area churches to also participate in a special Lenten offering to support the Neighbors Pantry or, if not an offering, at least to learn more about food insecurity in our communities, 

As you consider a gift, here is important information to consider...

• Food insecurity in VT is higher now than it has been in the past two years,
  including during peaks of the Covid-19 pandemic. Two in five Vermonrers
  experienced food insecurity in 2022. And families with children are more
  than five times more likely to be food insecure than those without. (Source:
  VT digger and Hunger Free VT)
• The Neighbors Pantry distributes food twice each month on the 1 st and 3 rd
  Fridays. (This is since March 2020, the beginning of Covid. Previously it
  was only once each month). Before Covid the Pantry averaged 30 families
  each month. Currently, the Pantry is averaging 30 families at each
  distribution (60 families per month, double the pre-Covid
  number).…Between $4,000-$5,000 is spent each month on food.
  
• Each month the Neighbors Pantry spend between $4,000-$5,000 on food.
  Food for the Neighbors Pantry comes from the USDA (Government
  commodities), the VT Foodbank (purchased at reduced cost), donations left
  at the church and in the Neighbors Pantry ‘box’ at the Londonderry Village
  Market. About ½ of all the food distributed each month is purchased by
  Pantry volunteers at a variety of places: Aldi’s, Costco and local grocery
  stores.
  
• In addition to the twice monthly distributions the Neighbors Pantry provides
  6-8 large bags of food to Floodbrook families each week and large bags of
  groceries to Smithaven residents each month. Emergency distributions are
  always available by calling the church office.
  

How can you participate?
You can add your change to our jar on Sunday morning or anytime you are by the church.
You can send a check.
You can give online through this link.

We invite your generosity.
Each gift helps another family have the food they need.

THANK YOU !!!!
The Mission Committee

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