ADDISON COUNTY — To help our fellow Vermonters struggling with hunger this holiday season, state police, in cooperation with Casella Waste Systems, are collecting food donations for the Vermont Foodbank. Those wishing to donate are asked to drop off packed food at VSP barracks, including the state police barracks on Route 7 in New Haven.
Donations can be dropped off during business hours, Monday, Dec. 16, through Friday, Dec. 20. To find a donation site nearest you, visit http://vsp.vermont.gov/about_us/divisions/field_force/stations.
Donations will be collected in large, 90-gallon recycling bins donated by Casella Waste. Marc Okrant, Casella director of marketing said, “We are happy to help out the Foodbank, the state police and Vermont citizens anyway we can.”
On Monday, Dec. 23, the bins will be collected by VSP troopers and delivered to regional food shelves across Vermont.
The Vermont Foodbank suggests the following non-perishable items for donation:
•  Canned tuna, salmon, sardines.
•  Peanut butter.
•  Cereal — all varieties.
•  Canned fruits — all varieties.
•  Canned vegetables — all varieties.
•  Canned meat — beef, pork, chicken.
•  Canned soups and chili.
•  Boxed meals.
•  Pasta and pasta sauce.
•  Diapers — All sizes.
•  Pet food — all varieties.
Those who would rather donate money are reminded that that the Foodbank estimates that $1 pays for three meals. Supporting the Vermont Foodbank helps provide food for one in seven Vermonters.
Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving Vermont through a network of 270 food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers and youth programs. In fiscal year 2013, the Foodbank distributed nearly 8.2 million pounds of food to as many as 86,000 Vermonters. To learn more about hunger in your community and to take action against hunger and poverty in Vermont, go online to www.vtfoodbank.org.