Category Archives: 2011-03

Volunteers Night Out

Sixteen volunteers of the food shelf gathered for a pot luck supper and business meeting on January 20th. This was a postponement from January 18th because of inclement weather.

Carol Sheldon gave updates on some new events at the food shelf that have happened over the past month. Peter Lowes has built more shelving in the closet that adjoins the customer service area. Leon Sheldon and Ken Wright are placing new shelving in the distribution room. These shelves are deeper and can safely hold the cases of food that are delivered monthly in the Vermont Foodbank order. There is a produce area with four shelves instead of one single pallet on the floor.

It has been a problem for volunteers that are assigned each night to know where the stock supplies are kept. The new shelves are labeled in product categories making it easy for our clients to find items. The neat shelves of overstock are cosmetically pleasing to see in the meeting room area off the kitchen. Volunteers can easily find items for restocking each evening. We told those in attendance at the volunteer night where to find various supplies.

With the approval of the Board of Directors of the Food Shelf, we are financing the following project with alloted renovation funds that have been donated this year. We met with Dayco, Inc., a local insulation company. They will be blowing 18 inches of insulation into the attic and roof slopes of the Lighthouse building. The hot air pipes in the basement will be covered with insulation fabric (hopefully by willing volunteers). The day to do this will be in the next month. If you have some time to help us on this project, please contact Leon or Carol.

A guest speaker, David Thornton, a grant writing specialist from the Vermont Food Bank, told us how they can help local food shelves apply for grants to improve their facilities. He named donors and organizations that can help us secure these funds in the future.

The Vermont Food Bank has means for providing refrigeration unit to food shelves
either free or at reduced prices. We became aware of many ways to renovate our shelf in future years.

An updated guidebook to the Sharon Food Shelf was given to each volunteer. Great people make up our volunteers at the Sharon Food Shelf! Thank you all for your effort in serving the community of Sharon and surrounding towns.

Bill McBride

Bill McBride passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, after courageously battling a brain tumor for 5 years. A scholarship fund has been established in Bill’s
name to help support tuition for children in the Dorchester (Boston) community who attend the tutoring program that meant so much to him. In lieu of flowers, contributions
may be made to Sudbury United Methodist Church, designated for McBride Scholarship Fund, and mailed to Sudbury United Methodist Church, 249 Old Sudbury
Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.

House Fire

McKenny Home Destroyed by Fire

On Monday, February14th, a fire destroyed the longtime family home of Thomas & Julie McKenny in South Royalton. Julie is the daughter of Mary Donahue who was living with them. Mary is a previous Sharon resident and she and her children attended
the Sharon Congregational Church. Thomas & Julie have two children, Conner, 3, and Sarah, 6.

We will be sending the family a donation from our Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Anyone wishing to add to the church’s donation can make a check payable to Sharon Congregational Church and specify Minister’s Fund McKenny/Leighton in the memo
line. All donations will be combined and forwarded to the family.

The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is used for many things including rent, utilities, and food. We give to anyone in need, not just church members. Donations
to the fund are always welcome.

Francene Ellis, Trustee