Vermont Business Magazine Allstate Agency Owners are coming together to support the Vermont Foodbank by holding a donation drive in their agencies from now until Sept. 15. Agency owners are calling on residents to support local families and youth as they begin the new school year by donating items for the Foodbank’s BackPack Program, an initiative that distributes kid-friendly, nonperishable, vitamin-fortified food to students in need.
“When I learned that one in four Vermont residents struggle with hunger, I knew that my team and I had to do something,” said Michael Coburn, Allstate agency owner in Williston. “Giving back is core to who we are, which is why we’re proud to support the Vermont Foodbank and their efforts to alleviate hunger in our communities.”
The Vermont Foodbank’s BackPack Program provides food to approximately 1,250 youth each week throughout the school year. Students are identified for this program by guidance counselors, school nurses and other school staff by sending permission slips home to parents. This year alone, the nonprofit anticipates that approximately 45,000 backpacks and 160,000 pounds of food will be provided to local families through this program.
The most needed items for the BackPack Program include canned vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, soups and chili, hot or cold cereal, granola bars, nuts peanut butter, juice and dry pasta.
“On behalf of our neighbors facing hunger, we are so grateful to Allstate and The Allstate Foundation for stepping up to make a difference,” says Vermont Foodbank CEO, John Sayles. “Because of their efforts, fewer Vermont children will go to bed hungry. That means more kids will wake up ready to learn so that they can grow up to reach their full potential. Giving food truly can transform a child’s life.”
Community members can drop off donations at the following Allstate agencies:
- Christine Abdelnour, 999 Putney Rd. # 1C, Brattleboro
- Michael Coburn, 1134 S Brownwell Rd., Williston
- Renee Cruz, 1174 North Ave., Burlington
- Walter Hausermann, 4001 Williston Rd., South Burlington
- Kris Luce, 11 Pearl St., Ste. 101, Essex Junction
- Renee Shedd, 20 Kimball Ave., South Burlington
- Bill Vien, 240 S Main St., Rutland
About the Vermont Foodbank
The Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food and promoting health through a network of 215 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers and after-school programs, and directly to families, children, older adults and individuals at schools and hospitals. In 2017, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 12 million pounds of food to 153,100 Vermonters. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. Learn more at www.vtfoodbank.org.
Source: BARRE, VERMONT, Aug. 15, 2018 – Vermont Foodbank