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what we do

The Winooski Food Shelf provides supplemental food assistance to residents of Winooski in need.  We are open the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays and Saturdays of the month. Residents in need of food, however, may only shop the pantry on one Wednesday, but they may come both Saturdays. Staffing the shelves and welcoming guests are only part of what we do.  Most of our time is spent running what amounts to a little grocery store.

 

That means:  First, we need to procure the food.  We receive food donations from a wide variety of resources--individuals, companies, and The Vermont Food Bank. Often we need to purchase food and toiletries at a variety of outlets to supplement what is not donated.  Second, we need to pick up food at various locations around Burlington, Essex and Winooski.  Third, we need to unload donations and purchases and shelve them. Last, we need to ensure that the right amount of inventory is on hand and that none of the food has expired.  Then we pre-package the food into bags and boxes. It is only then that we can welcome our guests.

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The video below still reveals the spirit of WFS volunteers even though it was made over 10 years ago, in 2014 by Dan Higgins, when we were known as the Little Green Pantry. At that time, we served only 70 families per month.  

Articles of Interest
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Cocoa Bean
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Fundraising

- Eliciting donations by mail, phone, or social media

- Acknowledging donors

- Helping out with donor food drives

- Writing grants

- Assisting at donor events

Hosting & Delivery

​- Set up & take down before & after Food Shelf hours

- Welcoming & registering guests

- Moving pre-packaged food and delivering food to guests

- Maintaining flow of goods

- Acting as a resource for additional services

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Inventory Control

- Ensuring that we are not low on any supplies

- Ordering food or shopping if needed

- Checking inventory for expiration dates
- Coordinating with Food PIck Up & Delivery and Unloading & Shelving Team

 

Pre-packaging

- Selecting food from shelves for individual bags and boxes

- Ensuring each bag or box has the appropriate range and number of items

- Arranging items for pick up

​Food Pick Up & Unloading

- Picking up food at designated locations

- Unloading food trucks or deliveries
- Helping with moving of goods at the Food Shelf​

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Maintenance

- Cleaning

- Recycling boxes

- Removing trash to designated sites

- Shoveling snow

- Cleaning the Food Shelf space as needed

- General maintenance

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