A Turkey on Every Table
One of the best parts of living in the Mad River Valley is being involved in a community that helps neighbors in need. Perhaps the giving spirit stems from the farming histories of Fayston, Warren, Waitsfield and Moretown, where it was common for residents to trade goods and skills, and neighbors could count on one another in a crisis. Or maybe it’s because when the population of the four towns barely totals 5000, you tend to know your neighbor, their children, and their mother. Or maybe it’s because with only two grocery stores in the Valley, a quick trip to pick up eggs or milk results in at least two conversations and connections.
Many years ago, the MRV Interfaith Council recognized that some families in our community were in need during Thanksgiving. They launched the Thanksgiving Baskets program in response. Its mission? Ensure that every Valley family can have a Thanksgiving meal. Here’s how this community-wide effort works:
Donors send checks to cover food purchases. Cabot sends cheese. The Inn at Round Barn, Waitsfield Telecom, and ST Paving donate turkeys. Scouts and home-schoolers make greeting cards. Green Mountain Valley School and Harwood High School organize can drives. Volunteers shop for groceries to supplement the food that’s been donated, and then sort the food and pack it into baskets. Each basket contains everything necessary for a hearty and delicious Thanksgiving meal. In 2021, over 300 people received baskets. For those doing the math, that’s about 6% of our total population. A big number. I couldn’t be prouder of our Valley, pulling together to deliver joy to those in need.
There’s still time to help your neighbors. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider:
If you’re unable to shop, please consider a monetary donation which will applied toward the purchase of food to fill the baskets. Either contribute via the paypal link: https://bit.ly/MRVdonate or mail a check to: Mad River Interfaith Council, PO Box 342, Waitsfield, VT 05673.
If you are local, consider buying food items from the list below and dropping the food off at the Valley Reporter offices (Mad River Green in Waitsfield) or any Valley church. We need the food several days BEFORE Thanksgiving, so please drop off by Friday, Nov 18th.
Apple sauce (20-25 oz)
Biscuit Mix (box)
Brownie Mix (box)
Canned fruit (13-15 oz can)
Canned vegetables (14-16 oz cans: corn, peas or green beans)
Crackers (8-12 oz box)
Cranberry sauce (14 oz can)
Gravy (1 can/bottle)
Peanut Butter (16-20 oz jar)
Stuffing (1 box/bag)
Tuna (9-12 oz can)
Any extra food or money is given to the MRV Community Pantry to continue to support local families throughout the holidays. Thank you.