Ways to lend a HAND!
November 1-30, 2024 - THANK YOU TO CITY MARKET AND OUR NEIGHBORS FOR THIS EFFORT!
HANDS received 40% of November’s “Rally for Change.” Thank you very much for helping others in our community who struggle with food insecurity! Special thanks to City Market. Hear from Founder Megan Humphrey on how this helps!
Volunteer
One way to help HANDS is to volunteer when we have volunteer opportunities.
Donate
Another way is to please consider a financial donation to ensure that we can provide continuous nourishing services for older adults in Vermont. Even a small donation on your part goes a LONG way to improve their quality of life. Thank you!
Join the Board!
Another way is to please consider joining our board - we are small, but mighty and are seeking a couple of light-lift seats for 2025!
HANDS is a 501c3 organization and your donation is tax deductible.
Immediate ways to help:
Season’s Eatings
During the holiday season, we write cheery notes in greeting cards and then tuck a $20 grocery card and food access resource guide inside and send them to area seniors in need of some holiday cheer. In 2024, we are hoping to reach 1,600 older Vermonters throughout Chittenden County!
We could use anything from volunteering to write notes and/or address envelopes, make a financial donation, or send us some postage stamps or grocery cards to contribute to the effort would be tremendously helpful. Thank you!
Megan Humphrey Food Security Fund
This new fund is dedicated to our Founder, Megan J. Humphrey in the spirit of her deep devotion to filling the gaps in food security for older Vermonters. We want to continue her legacy of giving and finding solutions for feeding our elder community, whether it is through programming or direct assistance. Megan founded HANDS in 2004 after working at a senior center and learning how hard it was for them to be alone on Christmas Day, and so, the 20-year tradition of the HANDS holiday dinner was born. Developing programs over the years, HANDS has been nimble at filling gaps in food access. With a small board, many partners and countless volunteers, Megan has found that one person can make a difference, but it’s even more effective when many brains and hands come together to solve a problem.
Diverse Pantry
After an assessment of need with many individuals and organizations, we are filling gaps in getting food to older adults in our immigrant and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. During the summer and autumn, we offer a “pantry” with staples such as culturally significant fresh vegetables, a variety of dried beans, different kinds of rice, herbs and spices, eggs and when available, Halal meats. HANDS partners with local African farmers, AALV, Age Well, the City of Vermont, Feeding Chittenden, Mascoma Bank, and Vermont Foodbank to make this impactful program possible.
Arlene Woods Giving Fund
Arlene Woods
Supporter of HANDS and inspiration for the Arlene Woods Giving Fund, fueling our efforts to get grocery cards to seniors.
Burlington resident Arlene Woods turned 90 on October 5, 2020. In honor of this very special occasion, HANDS was pleased to announce the Arlene Woods Giving Fund. Arlene was a staunch supporter for many years in our mission to get food to low-income seniors. “Arlene gave to many people in so many ways over the years and we wanted to honor a remarkable woman,” said Executive Director Megan J. Humphrey.
Arlene lived in Vermont for 57 years, thinking that it was special here because of the great opportunities, a good place to bring up children, and the political outlook. She had 5 children, 2 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.
Arlene was an avid artist and a former member of the Essex Art League and Northern Vermont Artist Association. She was also a passionate gardener and named her backyard “The Enchanted Forest”. She loved to harvest and then cook her vegetables. Arlene was a Patriots, Red Sox, and UVM hockey fan and supported the North Burlington Little League fundraising efforts. She loved to go fishing, camping, and frequented the Swans Of New England casino tours. When asked about turning ninety, Arlene said “I made it! I didn’t think I’d make it because of all the years with health issues.” Sadly, Arlene passed away in April 18, 2021. Arlene is missed by so many, but we continue to honor her.
Arlene with daughters Arlette, Linda, and Donna at Heineberg Senior Center’s 90+ birthday celebration
Arlene believed that helping others is important - she loved people and wanted to be kind to those who could use a helping hand. In that spirit, we allocate all of the donations to this fund to our grocery cards campaign, enabling seniors to make their own choice at the grocery store.
If you would like to donate to the “Arlene Woods Giving Fund” in memory of Arlene and in support of our programs, please donate at the button below and select the “Arlene Woods Giving Fund”, or mail a check to HANDS, 13 St. Louis Street, Burlington VT 05401. We are also happy to list a donation “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone special to you. Thank you so much for helping to get food to seniors!
Thank you so much for your support of this fund. We are so sorry that we lost you, dear Arlene.
From the bottom of our hearts, HANDS would like to thank all of the individuals, businesses, organizations, and our board members for help throughout the years. We are hugely dependent on volunteers and community assistance. HANDS couldn’t do it without you—-thank you! Our website wizard is Matt Tucker and we appreciate his tech savvy. And special thanks to Ki McClennan for lending a hand with our financials.