On behalf of the Vermont Foodbank, our network partners and tens of thousands of needy Vermonters that request our help, a sincere note of thanks to Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Bradford, Rep. Willem Jewett, D-Ripton, Vermont state legislators and their legislative staff for organizing and participating in the food and fund drive in the last days of the legislative session. Through the support and energy of Reps. Copeland-Hanzas and Jewett more than $4,000 was raised for the Vermont Foodbank, as reported in the May 4 edition of the Sunday Rutland Herald and Times Argus, "Lawmakers raise $4,000 for food bank." This generous donation from our elected officials will enable the Vermont Foodbank to provide 12,000 pounds of food – the equivalent of more than 9,000 meals – to needy families with children and seniors throughout our state.

Hunger knows no season. This week, an estimated 14,500 low-income Vermonters will request food assistance from food shelves, church pantries and other organizations throughout Vermont. This spring we have witnessed unprecedented increases in fuel prices at the gas station, rising food costs in the grocery stores and a barrage of dismal economic news that is hitting working Vermont families hard. As consequence we are seeing more people and longer lines at food shelves in every county in our state.

We are deeply encouraged by Vermont legislators' efforts and support for hunger relief this past session. They passed legislation to help more low-income children get school breakfast and during the final days of this recent legislative session, representatives and senators from across the state and from throughout the political spectrum spoke eloquently about the problem of hunger in their communities and throughout Vermont.

They encouraged their colleagues to do something personal, not just pass legislation or raise awareness – important as those activities are – but also to reach into their own pockets and pantries and donate food and funds for our needy neighbors.

And ultimately our lawmakers created hope – hope that communities are willing to work together when budgets are tight to ensure that no one goes without food; hope that a group of thoughtful, committed individuals working together can make a difference.

On behalf of the food bank, our volunteers and partners, a hearty thank you to the Vermont representatives and senators for helping fight hunger and feed hope!

Douglas O'Brien

Executive Director of the Vermont Food Bank

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