winooski food shelf

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.

​

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.