Due to a growing need to feed those less fortunate in our communities, the Colchester Milton Rotary will be filling the truck with food donations on Election Day, March 5th at the polls in Colchester and Milton. Please bring non-perishable and non-expired food items when you come to vote. See the list of needed items below.
Recent statistics from the Colchester Community Food Shelf:- Total clients have increased from 1282 in 2022 to 1776 in 2023 a 39% increase
- Total people served have increased from 3583 in 2022 to 4664 in 2023 a 31% increase
- Financial donations have increased by 7% but food and supplies have increased by 51%
“As you can see from these numbers the increase in those we serve plus the cost of food, as careful as we are, has affected our budget as it has individual families.”
Recent statistics from the Milton Family Community Center:
"We can definitely say, with staggering statistics, that the need is there! We just looked at our January 2023 participant numbers vs January 2024, and were blown away by a 65% increase in individuals visiting the food shelf. In January 2023, we had 77 households or 204 individuals visit. In January 2024, we had 119 households or 337 individuals. We were also proud to be a part of such a generous community after posting our empty shelves last week on Facebook. Within 48 hours, we received close to 30 donations and 1,000 Ibs of food. That being said, we anticipate February will see a similar increase and the drive timing in March will be right on time."
How to Donate:
- We will have volunteers on site all day to accept donations outside the Colchester High School and Milton Town Offices
- Monetary donations (Cash, Checks, Venmo) are also accepted - and actually preferred- as the Food Shelf's purchasing power is 2 -3 times more than yours!
- You can also mail a check to CM Rotary at P.O. Box 82 Colchester, VT 05446 - please add "Fill The Truck" in the memo.
- Link to donate online
- Early voters can drop off donations in the provided barrels at both the Colchester and Milton town offices
From The Colchester Community Food Shelf Website:
Client Shopping List
The following high-priority items are included on the client shopping list each week. When items other than those listed below are donated, they are placed on a miscellaneous table for clients, weather permitting. The client shopping list typically includes the following, but is subject to change based on availability:
- Cereals: Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, oatmeal
- Baking Mixes: Brownie mix, cake mix, pancake mix
- Baking Supplies: Vegetable oil, flour, sugar, brown sugar
- Condiments: Ketchup, mustard, mayo, ranch dressing, Italian dressing
- Pasta Sauce: Traditional (red) and alfredo sauces
- Pasta/Rice: Spaghetti and assorted pasta (penne, elbow macaroni, ziti, rigatoni), rice (white or brown), boxed macaroni and cheese
- Canned Fruit: Fruit cocktail, peaches, pineapple, Mandarin oranges
- Canned Vegetables: Corn, cream corn, diced tomatoes, green beans, peas
- Household Products: Liquid dish soap, laundry detergent
- Personal Hygiene: Deodorant, shampoo, body wash, dental, shaving cream and disposable razors
- Condensed Soups/Broths: Tomato, vegetable, chicken, beef; broth (vegetable, chicken, beef)
- Crackers: Saltines or Ritz
- Canned Meats: Tuna or chicken
- Canned Meals: Beef Stew, Chili, Ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, Beefaroni
- Peanut Butter and Jelly: Peanut butter (creamy), grape jelly, strawberry jelly
- Canned Beans: Baked beans (16 oz), black beans, Garbanzo beans, kidney beans
- Beverages: Apple juice, ground coffee (regular or decaf), tea
100% of donations will go to the food shelves of Colchester and Milton.
Thank you in advance for your generous support!
Email Us with any questions.