Dear Editor,
The United Way of Rutland County is thankful to the many Rutland County residents who contributed non-perishable food items in support of the 24th Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive on May 14. The event was a great success this year, with more than 25,000 pounds of food collected and distributed to food shelves throughout Rutland County.
United Way across the nation partners with its local letter carriers union branches for this food drive on the second Saturday in May each year.
In Rutland City, BROC: Community Action in Southwestern Vermont, the Rutland Community Cupboard and the Salvation Army were able to replenish food shelves in preparation for the increased demand for food during the summer months, along with our partners at Fair Haven Concerned. In addition, residents served by the post offices in Brandon, Castleton/Bomoseen, Cuttingsville, Killington, Poultney, Proctor/Pittsford, Wallingford and West Rutland also replenished their nearby food shelves through the drive, as letter carriers from every post office in the county participated that day.
A tremendous amount of gratitude goes to our local Letter Carriers Union Branch #495 for organizing the event and collecting food donated throughout our region once again this year. They volunteer their extra labor and time to make sure that the mail is delivered AND the donations are picked up.
Heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who were on hand during the event to help sort and distribute donated items to the various food shelves, including students and staff from the 77 Park Street program. Special thanks as well to our local media for supporting the event, for a donation of rolls and a donation of ice cream.
Rutland County residents continue to display the generosity of spirit for which our area has become known. Helping our neighbors meet basic needs is a key first step to helping everyone in the community thrive.
Cordially,
Nanci Gordon, United Way of Rutland County; Tom Donahue, BROC: Community Action in Southwestern Vermont; Ashley Bride, Fair Haven Concerned; Kelly Giancola, Rutland Community Cupboard; Maj. Charles Balcom, Salvation Army
