Ways to lend a HAND!

One way to get help HANDS is to volunteer when we have volunteer opportunities.

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.

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. This year we are hoping to reach 1,600 seniors

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!

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

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 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.