Ways to lend a HAND!
November 1-30, 2024
Please consider shopping at City Market and “rounding up” to the nearest dollar! HANDS will receive 40% of this month’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!
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.
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.