Foodshare

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Texas Style BBQ to Recognize Volunteers at HVCC

Thanks to our Guest Blogger Bill Cole, Food Pantry Manger at Hockanum Valley Community Council, for sharing this wonderful story with us! Bill Cole is also a member of the Tri-Town Hunger Action Team (HAT) which includes Vernon, Tolland and Ellington.

"On May 9th, Hockanum Valley Community Council (a Foodshare partner) held a Texas Style BBQ to recognize and show appreciation for more than 80 volunteers who last year gave in excess of 3,500 hours to support the agency. Like many non-profit agencies, Hockanum Valley relies on these dedicated individuals who give of their time and energy to meet the needs of our clients in Tolland County.

These amazing folks are truly the backbone of our organization. From answering phones, conducting home visits with shut-ins, or stocking shelves in our Food Pantry our cast of volunteers come from all walks of life. 


This Volunteer Appreciation gathering was planned by Celia Wheeler, Administrative Assistant to the C.O.O., and myself. Multiple staff prepared baked goods and assisted with the set-up and clean-up. In addition to the volunteers in attendance this gathering was attended by multiple members of our Management, Board of Directors and Staff. It was our honor to have James Arena-DeRosa, President and C.E.O. from Foodshare and members of the Foodshare Team including Dom Piccini, Gaye Sgamboti and Beatrice Maslowski join us for lunch and to say thank you to our volunteers. 
After lunch, I invited the Foodshare Team for a tour of our Food Pantry. The tour included sharing that our Pantry has over 3,000 registered clients and serves an average of 350-400 client families each week. I shared with the group that the goal of Hockanum Valley is to increase our fresh produce and dairy capacity by 100% of our current distribution over the next 6-9 months and ideas for the expansion and how our partnership with Foodshare is a very critical part of the plan."

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